Dec 23 -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking public comment on the initial revised draft of the update to the Certification Criteria for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) by January 20, 2023.
CCBHCs were established under the Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA, Pub. L. 113-93). Section 223 of PAMA requires the establishment of Medicaid demonstration programs to improve community behavioral health services through the development of CCBHCs. CCBHCs are required to provide a comprehensive array of coordinated services to anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of ability to pay, place of residence, or age—including developmentally appropriate care for children. PAMA required the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop criteria for states to use when certifying clinics to participate in their demonstration programs. These criteria include six areas: (1) staffing, (2) availability and accessibility of services, (3) care coordination, (4) scope of services, (5) quality and other reporting, and (6) organizational authority.
There have been significant developments in the CCBHC program and in the broader mental health and substance use disorder field since the development of the existing Certification Criteria. States and providers now have six years of experience with the CCBHC model and lessons learned related to the implementation of the Certification Criteria. SAMHSA is seeking to make minor revisions to the Criteria to respond to these developments and lessons learned, while still maintaining the overarching requirements for program areas and scope of services outlined in PAMA.
FY2023 CCBHC Criteria Update Announcements:
https://www.samhsa.gov/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics/ccbhc-criteria-update-announcements
Draft revised criteria:
https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/revised-ccbhc-criteria-dec-2022.pdf [72 pages]
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-28028
