ACN 019/22 - MAR 2022 POLICY UPDATE TO EXTEND AND DIRECT CLINICAL CAPABILITIES OF COAST GUARD MEDICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PERSONNEL

R 251046Z MAR 22   MID200001611493U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 019/22
SSIC 6520
SUBJ: POLICY UPDATE TO EXTEND AND DIRECT CLINICAL CAPABILITIES OF
COAST GUARD MEDICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PERSONNEL
A. Policy Update to Expand Clinical Capabilities of Coast Guard
Providers, COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC R171129Z MAR 21/ACN 029/21
B. Coast Guard Medical Manual, COMDTINST M6000.1F
C. Medical Standards for Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions,
COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC R091815Z MAR 22/ACN 018/22
D. Behavioral Health Provider Standard Operating Procedures,
Health, Safety and Work-Life Service Center (HSWL SC) Technical
Directive 2022-002
E. Mental Health Evaluations of Members of the Military Services,
DoDI 6490.04
1. All provisions and policies contained in REF (A) are hereby
extended for an additional year from the date of this ACN.
2. Background. REF (B) provides direction from COMDT (CG-11) that
ensures all Coast Guard (CG) health care personnel are qualified
through proper credentialing and privileging and personnel may
perform privileges listed on the privileging authorization. In
addition, there are multiple types of behavioral health (BH)
evaluations and determinations that can be completed by BH
personnel based on REFs (A) through (E).
3. Applicability. This policy update applies to all uniformed and
contractor BH personnel in CG clinics providing care to CG
beneficiaries. All CG personnel affected by this policy shall
comply with its provisions upon publication of this ACN.
4. The following updated policies are effective immediately:
    a. Health Safety, Work-Life Service Center (HSWL SC) shall
provide oversight and procedural guidance in the form of Technical
Directives and Standard Operating Procedures for privileged BH
providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers),
credentialed uniformed Regional Nurse Case Managers (RNCMs), and
Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs).
    b. BH Personnel are responsible for carrying out the following
policy concepts, duties and responsibilities:
        1) Work under the technical authority of COMDT (CG-11) and
the HSWL SC.
        2) Shall follow policy direction and HSWL SC guidance
included in REFs (A) through (E).
5. These policies and procedures will be published in a new Coast
Guard Instruction regarding behavioral health, which will be
released within the next year.
6. This message will be cancelled on 22 MAR 2023.
7. POC: CAPT Jerald Mahlau-Heinert, Mental Health Integrator,
COMDT (CG-11), at: 202-475-5155, Jerald.L.Mahlau-Heinert@uscg.mil
and LCDR Mark Ritter, Psychiatrist, HSWL SC, at: 202-372-4130,
Mark.Ritter@uscg.mil.
8. Released by RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and
Work-Life, (CG-11).
9. Internet release is authorized.