HHS approves first Medicaid mobile crisis intervention program in Oregon

Photo: Jasmin Merdan/Getty Images

In the realm of mobile crisis interventions, the state of Oregon will be getting a boost from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has announced approval of the Oregon Health Authority's proposal to cover community-based mobile crisis intervention services in Medicaid.

Facilitated by the American Rescue Plan, the new Medicaid State plan amendment represents the first in the country and will allow Oregon to provide community-based stabilization services to people experiencing mental health or substance use crises by connecting them with a behavioral health specialist. These services will be available on a 24/7 basis.

The new Medicaid option became available to states in April and is part of HHS' ongoing effort to deliver a comprehensive strategy to address the nation's mental health crisis. The option also furthers the goals of the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health, which was launched the day after the State of the Union to address the mental health challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including substance use, youth mental health and suicide.

The option also advances President Biden's call to action for state and local leaders to dedicate and deploy more American Rescue Plan funding.

HHS expects the intervention will ease the burden on law enforcement and allow for more focus on accountable policing.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

Oregon is the first state to seek and be granted approval for the new Medicaid option, and HHS is encouraging other states to follow the model. Helping states integrate behavioral health services into their Medicaid programs, the agency said, is a critical component of establishing a "stronger and more sustainable crisis care continuum." 

To that end, the ARP also provided $15 million in planning grants to help 20 state Medicaid agencies develop these programs.

The new Medicaid option gives states an opportunity to support community-based mobile crisis intervention services for people with Medicaid, including those who have both a mental health and substance use condition, such as opioid use, HHS said. 

Mobile crisis intervention services aim to provide those experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises with screening and assessment; community-based stabilization and de-escalation; and coordination with and referrals to health, social and other services, as needed, by a trained behavioral health professional or paraprofessional.

THE LARGER TREND

The Medicaid option is one of a number of efforts HHS has made in recent months to establish a more sustainable crisis care continuum. On July 16, the U.S. transitioned the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easier-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The 988 Lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by HHS, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to improve crisis care access. 

Since January 2021, the Biden administration has made a number of investments to support the 988 transition, investing $432 million this year to scale up crisis center capacity and national back-up center capacity, and to provide special services, including a sub-network for Spanish language speakers.

The $432 million – an 18-fold increase over FY21 – includes $105 million in grant funding to states and territories, provided by the ARP, to improve response rates, increase capacity to meet future demand, and ensure calls initiated in states or territories are first routed to local, regional or state crisis call centers.
 

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com