Update: Applying to Be a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic

On March 7, the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) released a Provider Notice announcing the launch of a Learning Collaborative for prospective providers interested in joining the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration. For more background on CCBHCs, see the Oct. 10, 2024 IHA Memo and billing guidance for existing sites released by HFS earlier this year. 

Healthcare providers who want to participate in the CCBHC Demonstration under the Illinois Medical Assistance Program in Demonstration Year 2 will be required to participate in monthly Learning Collaborative sessions consisting of training and technical assistance facilitated by the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center (MTAC), along with subject matter expertise from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The CCBHC Certification Process for selected sites will be concurrent to the Learning Collaborative.

To take part in the Learning Collaborative, prospective CCBHC sites must apply and be accepted for participation. The Learning Collaborative Application is hosted through an online Qualtrix Survey. To apply for the Learning Collaborative and access supplementary CCBHC materials, click here. The application must be completed by 11:59 p.m. CT on April 4, 2025 and submitted by an individual authorized to sign attestations for the organization seeking to be a prospective CCBHC site. The notice emphasizes that deadline extensions will not be granted. HFS anticipates completing the application reviews and notice of participation in the Learning Collaborative no earlier than May 2, 2025.

In order to ensure broad access to the CCBHC program, HFS is prioritizing Designated Service Areas (DSA) currently unserved by a CCBHC site participating in Demonstration Year 1 and will consider community needs to determine the approval of additional CCBHC sites. For background on DSAs currently unserved by an existing site, see the Statewide and Cook County coverage maps.

The application process is only for providers who anticipate they will be ready to meet the requirements for participation as a CCBHC by no later than April 1, 2026. HFS may certify sites on a quarterly basis in the demonstration year, and providers who are able to meet the requirements as a CCBHC site may be able to begin CCBHC services prior to April 1, 2026.

Questions regarding the HFS notice can be submitted to HFS.CCBHC@illinois.gov. For questions or comments on this memo, contact us.