10 states joining Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program  

More states will begin receiving Medicaid funding for all-in-one mental health and substance use clinics that offer 24-hour crisis services.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Tuesday that a relatively new model of clinic, called Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, will be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement in 10 states under the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Program.

“This is a milestone for so many Americans,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said on a conference call with reporters. “Just as 988 has saved so many lives, these 10 new CCBHCs will save even more.”

A demo program was created, Some states After the bill is passed Protecting Access to Medicare Act It was launched in 2014. However, the program has since been expanded to address the acute mental health crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. expansion As part of 2022 The bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Currently, CCHBCs in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont can receive Medicaid funding in addition to their original programs. Member countries.

Starting in July, CCHBCs in 10 more states will be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. Every 2 years As part of an expansion of demonstration programs offered under the Safer Communities Act.

CCHBC aims to provide a range of mental health and substance use services to anyone seeking care, regardless of condition, age, ability to pay or housing situation.

According to the National Council on Mental Health, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that has supported CCHBC, the clinics are required to provide nine types of services either directly or in partnership with other organizations.

These services include providing a 24-hour mobile crisis response team, emergency crisis intervention, and outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

According to the National Council on Mental Health, about 3 million Americans are already receiving care through CCHCS.

The nonprofit organization said about 80% of clinics reported serving more patients since becoming CCBHCs, and 87% of CCBBCs reported offering at least one type of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, compared with 64% of substance use treatment facilities overall.