Counseling and Mental Health Services Fund

August 2019

As directed by the Board of Trustees, support for counseling and mental health services for survivors of former doctor Larry Nassar is available in the form of expense reimbursement.

Beginning Sept. 1, there will be new eligibility requirements as well as a new fund administrator, New Directions Behavioral Health. Contact information for the fund administrator will be available on this webpage on Sept. 1.

Until Sept. 1, please continue to submit claims to the intermediate fund administrator, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc. 

---

New as of Sept. 1:

Eligibility

• Those who received treatment from Nassar at an MSU health clinic or as an MSU student-athlete.
• Natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of those who received treatment from Nassar at an MSU health clinic or as an MSU student-athlete.
• The spouse of those who receive treatment from Nassar, at an MSU health clinic or as an MSU student-athlete, during or after the time of treatment.

Qualifying Expenses

• Out-of-pocket expenses for outpatient counseling and mental health services from licensed mental health professionals. Includes deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance.
  • All available insurance coverage must be met before submitting for reimbursement.

Ineligible Expenses

• Treatment related to in-patient services, such as hospital stays.
• Referral services.
• Online or telemedicine services.
• Therapy or support animals.

Time Requirement

• Reimbursement requests for eligible services received between Jan. 1, 2018 and Aug. 31, 2019 must be submitted no later than Dec. 1, 2019.
• Reimbursement requests for eligible services received on or after Sept. 1, 2019 must be submitted within 365 days from the date of service.

Reimbursement Process

• Starting Sept. 1, detailed instructions will be available on the New Directions Behavioral Health webpage specific to the MSU Counseling and Mental Health Services Fund.

 

  

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I contact the fund administrator?
  On Sept. 1, this webpage will have a link to the New Directions Behavioral Health website and customer service number.
• Will I have to switch to a new provider?
  The choice of an individual therapist or provider is up to each survivor. As long as the provider is a licensed mental health professional within the eligible provider types no change is necessary for reimbursement.
• How often may I submit requests for reimbursement?
  Anytime after Sept. 1 within the time requirements. New Directions Behavioral Health processes reimbursement requests on a rolling basis.
• If I previously received reimbursement for a particular service will the same service be covered now?
  Out-of-pocket outpatient services, including deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance from the approved provider types are eligible for reimbursement. Requests previously submitted to the former fund administrator are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Am I still eligible if I don’t have insurance?
  Yes. Please submit the paid provider invoice along with the reimbursement form. New Directions Behavioral Health will use an industry standard formula to determine reimbursement.

---

June 21, 2019

MSU is in the process of establishing the new Counseling and Mental Health Services Fund to support counseling and mental health services for the survivors of Larry Nassar. The fund administrator is New Directions Behavioral Health.

The Counseling and Mental Health Services Fund will be accessible starting Sept. 1, 2019. Specific details about what the fund covers and how to access it will be provided in August.

In the meantime, please continue to submit claims to the intermediate fund administrator, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc. 

---

Intermediate Healing Fund - Feb. 28, 2019

The MSU Board of Trustees directed the university to re-establish a fund to support counseling and mental health services for the survivors of Larry Nassar. While the specific details of the new fund amount and fund administrator are being developed, MSU has established an intermediate fund to continue providing service.

Similar to the original Healing Assistance Fund, the intermediate fund is available to:

• Survivors who received treatment from Nassar at an MSU health clinic.
• Survivors who received treatment from Nassar in their capacity as MSU student-athletes.
• Parents of survivors who received treatment from Nassar either at an MSU health clinic or as an MSU student-athlete.

The fund covers:

• Counseling and mental health services delivered by licensed mental health professionals or social workers to eligible individuals.
  • Providers are required to sign an affidavit stating they are licensed in the state where they do business and that the treatment provided was related to Nassar’s abuse.
• The amount due to providers by eligible individuals after insurance coverage.
• Reimbursement of an eligible individual’s out-of-pocket expenses for counseling and mental health services.

Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc. is serving as the administrator for the intermediate fund. Survivors may contact CMCI at michiganstate@commonwealthmediation.com or toll-free at (800) 540-2624. Inquiries may be addressed to Paul Finn or Jon Prouty. All valid claims will be paid at the end of each month.

Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc. is an independent contractor hired by Michigan State University for the sole purpose of administering the intermediate fund.