On March 31, 2014, Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (H.R. 4302), which included a demonstration program based on the Excellence in Mental Health Act. The legislation created criteria for “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics” (CCBHCs). As of March 2023, there are more than 500 CCBHCs are operating in 46 states, plus Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and Guam.
A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic is a specially designated clinic that receives flexible funding to expand the scope of mental health and substance use services available in the community to ensure health equity and high-quality care for underserved populations. CCBHCs must meet standards for the range of services they provide, and they are required to get people into care quickly. CCBHCs must provide care coordination to help people navigate behavioral health care, physical health care, social services, and the other systems they are involved in.
An important feature of the CCBHC model is that it requires crisis services that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Alabama Crisis System of Care will be a foundational component of the CCBHC model, as the state has established six state-funded Crisis Centers, which will be operational in 2023. The CCBHC model is designed to increase access to behavioral health services, including crisis services, that respond to local community needs, incorporate evidence-based practices, and establish care coordination to help people navigate behavioral healthcare, physical healthcare, and social services.
Alabama’s Transition to CCBHCs
Over fiscal year 2023, Alabama’s Community Mental Health Centers and the ADMH completed assessments to determine their preparedness for the development and implementation of the CCBHC integrated behavioral healthcare business model with high quality care, practices, and reporting measures. This model will ensure improved access to and delivery of coordinated, comprehensive behavioral healthcare to all Alabamians.
On March 16, 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grant in the amount of one million dollars to develop statewide certification criteria for CCBHCs. Within the year-long period of the grant, the ADMH will work with Alabama’s Community Mental Health Centers to plan a comprehensive behavioral healthcare business model to reduce disparities; improve access to care for marginalized communities; and develop a payment system that will reward quality over volume.
The CCBHC model will also improve integration, reduce silos and support a sustainable and well-trained behavioral health workforce. A transition to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic business model will ensure statewide expansion of and access to mental healthcare for all Alabamians.
