HHS funding for states builds on behavioral health center access 

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks during a news conference Tuesday about new state funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.

Photo: HHS.gov

It's time to treat mental health on par with physical health, said Health and Human Service Secretary Xavier Becerra, during a news conference announcing millions in state funding and a new crisis care line, 988.

States are eligible to apply for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) and for CCBHC planning grants. CCBHCs receive reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services they provide at higher, more competitive rates than community mental health centers currently receive, HHS said. 

In addition to the nearly $300 million awarded in September for new and existing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, $15 million in additional funding is now available for CCBHC planning. This will expand access to planning grants for CCBHCs to all 50 states.

CCBHCs provide crisis services that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, HHS said.

Ten states, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania, have been selected from among 24 states that received one-year planning grants from HHS. States must receive a planning grant to apply to be in the demonstration program.

The remaining 40 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are eligible to submit applications for planning grants to develop CCBHCs in their states. 

In early 2023, up to 15 states will be awarded up to $1 million for one-year planning grants. From those that submit a successful demonstration application, 10 will be selected to be in the actual CCBHC demonstration, starting in 2024.  

While 10 states will join the initiative in 2024, any state that has completed a planning grant and submits a successful application will be able to join eventually.

The CCBHC planning phase assists states in certifying clinics as CCBHCs, establishing prospective payment systems for Medicaid reimbursable services, and preparing an application to participate in a four-year demonstration program.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The funding opportunity, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, was authorized by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to address the country's mental health crisis. 

The Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act in 2014, led by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), transformed the way mental health and addiction services are funded, closing the gap in funding between physical and behavioral healthcare, HHS said. The law created the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.

CCBHCs are required to meet federal standards for the range of services that they provide, and they are required to get people into care quickly. The CCBHC model requires crisis services that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CCBHCs must also provide routine outpatient care within 10 business days after an initial contact to prevent people from languishing on waiting lists, as well as care that is high quality and that whenever possible is evidence based, HHS said. 

Equally important, CCBHCs are required to serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, place of residence, or age, and they include developmentally appropriate care for children and youth.

Ninety percent of Americans believe the country is suffering a mental health crisis, Becerra said.

Patients with mental or behavioral health issues may wind up in police custody or at the local emergency room, but they don't belong in jail or the ER, said Sergeant Chad Matthews of the Montgomery County Police, Crisis Response Support Section Supervisor.

THE LARGER TREND

Last month, HHS awarded $296.2 million to communities across the U.S. to establish new CCBHCs and improve and advance existing clinics. 

Approximately $66 million came from American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds intended to address pandemic-related stressors that have increased mental health conditions among Americans.

President Biden made access to mental and behavioral health supports and services a key priority in his first State of the Union address. Biden indicated that additional resources for mental health workers will soon be announced.

ON THE RECORD

"Today's announcement of funding to expand Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics is a critical step in helping to expand the availability of evidence-based community mental health services," Biden said in a statement.

"These clinics are proven to improve health outcomes while lowering costs, by delivering 24/7 mental health and substance use care to millions of Americans, no matter who they are or whether they have ability to pay. Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the American Rescue Plan, and funding in this year's budget, my Administration is working to expand this program to communities that need them most." 

 
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org