|
Since 2017, Minnesota has been in a federal demonstration to implement Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), which are community clinics that offer integrated mental health and substance use disorder services, as well as a range of other services. These clinics provide outreach, increase access, improve services and serve as a “one-stop-shop” to a wide range of community members, regardless of ability to pay.
|
What’s changing?
|
In 2020, Minnesota secured approval from the federal government to include CCBHC services as Medicaid-covered benefits. This means that we now have a dependable, consistent way to support CCBHCs in Minnesota. This outcome was the primary policy objective of Minnesota’s participation in the federal demonstration. Having achieved that outcome, Minnesota is exiting the demonstration and all CCBHCs operating under the demonstration will transition to this Medicaid authority. Doing so will also make the financing and billing processes for these critical services more consistent and improve payment accuracy and uniformity.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has connected with the federal agencies involved in the demonstration, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). While we are exiting the demonstration, all three agencies see incredible value in continuing partnership, dialogue and shared learning about continuing to support Minnesota’s CCBHCs now and into the future.
|
Why now?
The federal demonstration was initially supposed to last only two years and end in 2019, but Congress has extended the end date on five occasions. Each congressional extension of the demonstration prolongs the two-tiered system required to operate both a state Medicaid plan authority and federal demonstration authority. By exiting the federal CCBHC demonstration, Minnesota will simplify the billing process, improve payment accuracy and create more uniformity in payment methodologies.
More importantly, DHS is excited about starting the next chapter of our work with CCBHCs with the Medicaid authority to sustain and grow these services.
Finally, because the transition from federal demonstration to state plan authority changes the federal share for the costs of these services, the state budget also must absorb a one-time cost from this transition. (This affects the state’s bottom line, not clinics.) That cost impact was included in the November fiscal forecast, meaning that we are ready as a state to make this change to a sustainable way to support CCBHCs into the future.
What happens to CCBHCs in Minnesota?
|
The six clinics exiting the federal demonstration will continue operating under the state plan authority, joining seven other clinics that are already doing so. This change in status reaffirms Minnesota’s commitment to the CCBHC model by moving it from demonstration status to an established statewide Medicaid-covered benefit. Minnesota will continue to receive support and technical assistance as it does now from the federal government.
DHS is a committed partner with all of Minnesota’s CCBHCs, and together, we are confident that this model will continue to thrive going forward. These clinics will continue to offer a tremendous service, especially for people with publicly funded health insurance.
|
How do I learn more or ask questions?
|
DHS will be hosting a meeting in late January for CCBHCs and interested stakeholders about our continued work to support and grow this model. If you would like to participate, or if you have questions about the CCBHC demonstration status change, please contact MN_DHS_CCBHC@state.mn.us.
|
About the Behavioral Health e-Memo
You have received this email because you are subscribed to one or more of these GovDelivery lists:
- Children’s mental health providers
- Adult mental health providers
- Substance Use Disorder services providers
- Behavioral health: families and stakeholders
Subscribe or unsubscribe
For more information about Behavioral Health Services in Minnesota, visit:
Children’s mental health / Adult mental health / Substance use disorder / Resources for partners and providers
For more information about this e-Memo please feel free to contact us at youropinionmatters.dhs@state.mn.us.
|
