HM Modifier: Less Than Bachelor's Degree Level in Behavioral Health
HM covers the largest workforce in community behavioral health: technicians, direct support staff, and paraprofessionals without a bachelor's degree. It also has a state-specific job in Ohio that has nothing to do with education level.
Short answer
HM is the HCPCS Level II modifier "Less than bachelor degree level." Michigan maps behavioral technicians, certified alcohol and drug counselors, direct support professionals, and parent support partners to HM. Ohio uses HM for high school and associate's-level QMHS, care management specialists, and peer supporters, for certified peer supporters on ACT teams, and as a required modifier to show H2017 is psychosocial rehabilitation rather than LPN nursing.
| Modifier | HCPCS descriptor | Type |
|---|---|---|
| HM | Less than bachelor degree level | Provider education level |
How Michigan uses HM
Michigan's crosswalk maps these roles, among others, to HM:
| Role (Michigan crosswalk) | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Behavioral technician (ABA) | HM |
| Certified alcohol and drug counselor | HM |
| Direct support professional | HM |
| Parent support partner | HM |
| Home based services assistant | HM |
| Clubhouse or day treatment specialist | HM |
How Ohio uses HM
Ohio uses HM for Qualified Mental Health Specialists, care management specialists, and certified peer supporters with a high school diploma or associate's degree, and as the procedure modifier for a certified peer supporter on an ACT team. Separately, Ohio requires HM to indicate psychosocial rehabilitation rather than mental health LPN nursing services, which matters on H2017.
Why HM claims deny
- H2017 without HM in Ohio. The claim cannot show the service was PSR rather than LPN nursing.
- Service above the credential. HM staff billing a service the state limits to bachelor's level or above.
- Peer modifiers changed. Some states moved peers to their own modifiers; Michigan bills certified peer support specialists with WS, formerly HE.
Related: H2014 and H2017, HN, all behavioral health HCPCS modifiers, and the code map in H codes in behavioral health.
Sources, read October 2026: MDHHS SFY 2027 Behavioral Health Code Charts and Provider Qualifications; Ohio Medicaid Behavioral Health Provider Manual, v1.28.1 (March 2026). Federal HCPCS descriptors are CMS public data. State manuals and plan contracts change; confirm the current edition before billing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HM modifier for behavioral health?
HM is the HCPCS Level II modifier "Less than bachelor degree level." It identifies a rendering provider without a bachelor's degree, such as a technician or paraprofessional.
Why does Ohio require HM on H2017?
Ohio uses HM on H2017 to indicate psychosocial rehabilitation rather than mental health LPN nursing services, which share the code.
Do peer specialists use HM?
In some states. Ohio uses HM for high school and associate's-level certified peer supporters. Michigan bills certified peer support specialists with its own modifier, WS.
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