Magellan Healthcare uses the MCG Care Guidelines for Behavioral Health® and The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria® to help review the medical necessity of requests for behavioral health services covered by your Plan. MCG Care Guidelines are proprietary to MCG. Magellan is not able to distribute them without the permission of MCG. MCG has provided a tool that allows Magellan members to view relevant MCG Care Guidelines.

By following these instructions, you can access the MCG Guidelines on your web browser. You will not be able to print the MCG Guidelines.

Access Instructions

1. Click here to access the IBHP MCG Guidelines, read the disclaimer and accept the terms and conditions.
2. Complete the User Information form.
3. Complete the verification process to continue.
4. Click on the arrow icon next to Behavioral Health Care Guidelines to view.
5. Click on the guidelines you wish to view. 

The ASAM Criteria®: Treatment Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related and Co-Occurring Conditions is used to review requests for substance use treatment. 

Here’s a summary of The ASAM Criteria®:
The ASAM Criteria for Patients and Families (PDF)

If you have any issues please email:
MCGGuidelinesRequest@MagellanHealth.com