FAQs

How do I make my first appointment?

Please call our 24/7 hotline, 734-544-3050, to get started. You may refer to our Getting Started page to learn more about making an initial appointment.

How soon can I get an appointment?

When you call to ask for an appointment, you are guaranteed to be offered an assessment within 14 calendar days.

Who will I see when I come for an appointment?

You will meet with a member of our Access Team for your initial intake appointment.

How long are appointments?

Most appointments are 60 - 90 minutes long.

Which location should I go to?

Please refer to our Contact Information page to see available locations. You can also call our 24/7 hotline, 734-544-3050, to set up an appointment and learn more about the services provided at each location.

Can I bring my children to my appointments?

Yes. We would not want childcare to be a barrier to attending your appointment, however, we do not provide childcare. We will do our best to accommodate you and your family.

How much will appointments cost?

Payment is based on what you can afford. Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH) will assess your ability to pay for services and establish a fair fee. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale established by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. To determine your fee, requested documents along with information you provide will be reviewed. In general, you’ll be asked to provide information about any sources of income or health insurance that may cover services. All financial information will be held in the strictest confidence. 

If you have private insurance, WCCMH will bill your insurance and you will be responsible for any deductibles and co-pays, not to exceed your ability to pay amount.

Once a fee has been determined, you can ask for a review of your determined fee if you do not agree with the amount you are asked to pay. If your finances change and you feel you cannot make payments, you can ask the office for a new determination of fees.

Am I eligible for services?

A trained professional will help you connect to the services and supports that will best meet your needs, including the mobile crisis team--24 hours a day, 7 days a week--should you require it. 

If Washtenaw County Community Mental Health outpatient services appear to be the best fit, a trained professional can schedule an eligibility determination appointment. Alternately, a trained professional can connect you to a resource in the community that might better meet your needs.

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health eligibility is required to prioritize those individuals with Medicaid or those individual’s with any funding source who have urgent or emergent needs. To learn more about our services and if you may qualify, please call us at 734-544-3050.

What if I am denied CMH services?

If you have Medicaid, you have 60 days to request an internal appeal. If you do not have Medicaid, you have 30 days to request local appeal. Please contact Customer Services by calling 734-544-3050 and asking to speak with Customer Services. Another option you may pursue, on its own or at the same time as requesting an appeal, is requesting a second opinion. This must be requested within 30 days of your denial. This second opinion will be provided to you by a different clinician. For more information regarding your rights in this process, please see our Problems, Grievances, and Appeals page.

What if I do not currently live in Washtenaw County?

CMH and CARES services can only be provided to those who are currently residing in Washtenaw County. Each county has their own CMH provider who is responsible for their county’s residents.

Are there any services based at home?

Community Mental Health is a community-based provider, so it is the expectation that we will meet and serve individuals in the community and in their homes upon request.

What kinds of services do you offer?

Please refer to our Services page to learn more about the services we provide.

How long can I receive services?

Treatment planning will occur on an annual basis. This includes creating new goals and evaluating the need for continued services. People will be served based on their level of need rather than based on their amount of time in services.

Can medications be prescribed during a telehealth visit?

Yes, just like in the office your provider can write or renew prescriptions during your telehealth appointment.

How much will it cost?

There is no additional cost for using telehealth appointments at WCCMH.

Can you help if English is not my first or preferred language?

We can link in a Trained Medical Interpreter to assist in a telehealth visit. Ask our staff for more information during your assessment.

Is my privacy protected?

Yes, we have carefully chosen a telehealth system that safeguards your personal information and meets federal security guidelines outlined in the Health Information and Patient Protection Act (HIPAA).  

How do you protect my privacy? 

We use a professional, HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom to maintain patient confidentiality. It includes the following features: 

1. All video and audio is hidden (or encrypted) on the sender’s end and only revealed (or decrypted) on the receiver’s end.
2. Appointment cannot be recorded on our computer, your computer, your smartphone, or in the cloud.
3. Only the provider can admit guests into the appointment from the video waiting room. People in the waiting room do not know who else is in the appointment or in the waiting room. They see only the waiting room screen and cannot hear anything.
4. The provider can send anyone back to the video waiting room or remove them from the appointment at any time. The provider can also mute anyone at any time.

Where can I find more information about telehealth at WCCMH?

For more information, visit our telehealth services page. 

What is the number to call WCCMH's 24/7 mental health and substance use help line?

We can be reached at 734-544-3050

When can I call WCCMH's 24/7 mental health and substance use help line?

You can call us anytime, 24/7, 365. 

What is the difference between WCCMH's 24/7 mental health and substance use help line and the national 988 number?

In Washtenaw County, dialing 988 will connect individuals to Washtenaw County Community Mental Health's (WCCMH) mobile crisis team. 988 is routed to WCCMH's 734-544-3050. 

Can I call on behalf of someone else?

No, unless you are the person’s guardian and can provide proof of guardianship, or if you are calling on behalf of someone who is court ordered to receive mental health treatment. Only individuals or their guardians can call to make appointments for themselves. However, you can always call to ask for information or seek guidance. You can also call to dispatch the crisis team if you are concerned about someone else.