Applying to be a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic
October 10, 2024
MEMORANDUM
On June 4, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced Illinois as one of 10 new states participating in the four-year federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program. Run by the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the CCBHC Demonstration Program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the cost of services that CCBHCs provide at higher rates than community mental health centers previously received for Medicaid customers. HFS anticipates that the demonstration will bring an additional $150 million into Illinois' behavioral health system.
To assist prospective CCBHC sites seeking to join the demonstration in year two (DY2), HFS will host a Learning Collaborative anticipated to launch in Nov. 2024. In order to participate in DY2, organizations must participate in the Learning Collaborative. HFS will host two identical information webinars describing the Learning Collaborative on Oct. 16 and 18. If your hospital or health system has affiliated community-based behavioral health provider(s) that may consider applying to be a CCBHC, we encourage your organization to register for one of the informational webinars below:
SAMHSA’s CCBHC model seeks to ensure access to coordinated and comprehensive behavioral healthcare through the following federally required services provided directly or through formal partnership:
- 24-hour Crisis Services
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services
- Person- and Family-Centered Treatment Planning
- Community-Based Mental Health Care for Veterans
- Peer Family Support and Counselor Services
- Targeted Care Management
- Outpatient Primary Care Screening and Monitoring
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
- Screening, Diagnosis and Risk Assessment
State requirements for the demonstration can be found here, and includes an expectation that providers enhance crisis service accessibility for short-term, three to five days stays within 24 months of becoming operational. As part of the state’s application process for the demonstration, HFS provisionally certified 19 CCBHC locations that were determined ready to implement all state and federal CCBHC requirements for participation in year one, and began the demonstration on Oct. 1, 2024.
To take part in the DY2 Learning Collaborative, prospective CCBHC sites must first apply and be accepted for participation by HFS. The application for participation in the Learning Collaborative is expected to be released later in October and announced via Provider Notice. The application process is only for providers who anticipate they will be ready to meet the requirements for participation as a CCBHC beginning Oct. 1, 2025. HFS is prioritizing applications serving regions not currently served by a current CCBHC site. HFS anticipates approximately eight CCBHCs will be selected for DY2.
For more information on the learning collaborative webinars and participation in CCBHC DY2, see HFS’ Oct. 3 Provider Notice. For general information on Illinois’ CCBHC initiative, including the model of care overview, cost report resources, frequently asked questions and general resources, click here.
Contact us with questions.