MST Services' position on Medicaid funding for MST programs sums up our current “lessons learned” regarding the strengths and challenges of using Medicaid funding to support MST implementation. Medicaid funding has emerged as an important facilitator in the growth of MST and it is playing a critical role in the financial sustainability of many MST programs across the United States.  However, we caution stakeholders against viewing Medicaid as a “silver bullet” solution to their funding troubles due to the potential challenges of using Medicaid funds to support the model-adherent implementation of MST. For the full “Position Statement on Medicaid Funding for MST Programs” click here.

The standards and service descriptions for Medicaid or other funding sources for MST of various states are summarized below. Information on each state's MST standards is provided as well as an assessment of how consistent these standards are with MST. Suggested elements to be included in an MST Medicaid Standard are presented in the MST Preferred Service Description document. For an example of how states can be rated using this preferred service description, review our Sample MST Preferred Service Description Rating Form.

While some states use the current Multisystemic Therapy H2033 HCPCS code (see page eight) for Medicaid billing, many states have created MST funding mechanisms under other HCPCS codes or have chosen to use pre-existing Medicaid codes such as those for “Intensive In-home Services”. In the table below, rating information is provided on how consistent each state's standards are with the MST evidence base.

These state Medicaid standards are rated by placing them in one of four categories (i.e., Highly Consistent, Consistent, Mostly Consistent, or Minimally Consistent) by comparing them to the list of recommended program practices and requirements presented in the MST Preferred Service Description document. These recommended program practices and requirements have been developed to replicate the characteristics of clinicians, training, clinical supervision, consultation, monitoring and program support provided in the successful clinical trials of MST and have been refined through extensive experience with MST program replications throughout the United States and in growing a number of sites internationally.

The goals of MST programs include providing clinically effective, family-based services with high levels of provider accountability for outcome. Thus, the functional mission and current service array of the MST host agency must be examined for compatibility with the MST treatment approach.  The Success of MST depends on the provision and proper management of these necessary resources.

For those individuals interested in assistance with RFP development, please refer to Draft MST RFP Template. This file is helpful in writing an RFP as it contains the elements that should be included in the RFP for MST.

For technical assistance in developing funding or Medicaid standards for MST, please contact Melanie Duncan, Project Manager, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For other technical assistance  in the planning and implementation of financing and management of other human services and mental health treatments not specific to MST, contact John Morris ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) from the Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) at www.tacinc.org.