Medicaid 1915(i) Behavioral Health Services and Supports

1915(i) behavioral health services and supports are for qualifying people with certain behavioral health conditions. 

What Services and Supports are available through 1915(i)?

Members are connected with a care coordinator who, with the member, creates a person-centered plan of care. Members work with their care coordinators to set goals. They will choose services and supports to help them achieve goals and live successfully in their homes and communities.

List of services and supports:

• Training and Support for Unpaid Caregivers- help for your caregiver to learn ways to support you. All ages.
• Community Transition Services- money to help move into your own home after living in a group home, treatment center, or nursing home. All ages.
• Benefits Planning- help to learn about your benefits and how things change when you get a job in your community. All ages
• Non-Medical Transportation- rides to activities in your community or to non-medical appointments to help you meet your goals. All ages.
• Respite- short term help for you while your caregiver runs errands or takes care of other needs. Ages 0-20.
• Pre-Vocational Training- help for a short time so you can learn work or volunteer skills. Age 17.5+ or has GED/Diploma.
• Supported Education- help so you can work on your educational goals. Ages 5+.
• Supported Employment- help getting and keeping a job in your community. Ages 14+.
• Housing Support- help so you can move into and/or stay in your own home. Ages 17.5+.
• Family Peer Support- help for your family members by connecting them with other families who also support their loved ones. Ages 0-17.
• Peer Support- help for you from other people who also live with challenges. Ages 18+.

How does someone qualify for 1915(i)?

You must meet all of the below qualifications to be approved for 1915(i).

• Age 0+; and
• Currently enrolled in ND Medicaid or Medicaid Expansion; and
• Have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (revised 4.2024); and
• Receive a WHODAS score of 25 or above or a DLA-20 score of 5 or below. Assessments must be completed within a 90-day period prior to applying for 1915(i).
  • The WHODAS is a simple assessment that can be completed by the applicant or a proxy on behalf of the applicant. Your WHODAS assessment must have been completed within the past 90 days.
  • DLA 20 must have been administered at a Human Service Center); and
• Reside in and will receive services in a setting meeting the federal home and community-based setting requirements 
  • Home and community-based settings do not include a nursing facility, institution for mental disease (IMD), or an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID), psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF), qualified residential treatment program (QRTP), jail/prison, or hospital (including the State Hospital); and
• Have a qualifying behavioral health diagnosis (revised 5.21.2024)

How to apply

• 1915(i) application - SFN 741

• Translation available, please email requests to nd1915i@nd.gov. 

1915(i) applications may be submitted 

•    Electronically: through the Self-Service Portal
•    By e-mail: applyforhelp@nd.gov 
•    By mail: Customer Support Center, PO Box 5562, Bismarck, ND 58506
•    In-person at any Human Service Zone office (find your local Human Service Zone here)
•    By phone: 1-866-614-6005 or 701-328-1000; 711 (TTY) for assistance

Project History

In April 2020, the Department submitted the 1915(i) Medicaid State Plan Amendment Application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for review. The Application describes who is eligible, the process for enrollment, what services are available, what providers can render services, and how quality will be assured.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final approval of the 1915i state plan amendment on January 15, 2021.