Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
Information and resources about Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Medicaid Demonstration Program
New Hampshire was one of 10 states added to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program on Monday, June 3, 2024. The National CCBHC Demonstration is implemented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What is a CCBHC?
- CCBHCs provide high-quality care for people with any mental health or substance use disorder.
- CCBHCs assess and help people by taking a "whole health" approach, considering individuals social and physical health needs while providing integrated behavioral health care.
“CCBHCs must ensure access to a comprehensive range of services, providing care coordination when needed and incorporating evidence-based practices and other supports based on a community needs assessment. This includes crisis services that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CCBHCs are also required to provide routine outpatient care within 10 business days.” - HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
New Hampshire's CCBHC Progress
- The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has worked over the past 2 years (utilizing a SAMHSA planning grant, March 2023 - March 2024) to develop and expand CCBHC capacity within its Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) system. NH CMHCS are well positioned to meet CCBHC requirements.
- Two centers have met full approval as NH state-certified CCBHCs.
- The State of New Hampshire expects to certify additional CCBHCs over the course of the four-year demonstration.
“Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics have significantly improved behavioral health treatment in our country, and <Monday’s> announcement will dramatically expand and improve access to equitable, quality care for Americans....”
- HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
What is a CCBHC?
The Role of Inclusion in the National CCBHC Demonstration
NH state-certified CCBHCs will gain access to a payment model for Medicaid eligible individuals that aims to better match reimbursement to the true cost of delivering care. This payment model is expected to support expanded staffing and sustain a higher level of quality. Additionally, Demonstration CCBHCs are eligible for enhanced federal match.
NH Dept of HHS will work with its partners to initiate the State CCBHC Program and payment system in the coming fiscal year. The National CCBHC Demonstration will continue through at least 2028.
Source: Biden-Harris Administration Expands Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Services with Addition of 10 New States to CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program. US Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/06/04/biden-harris-administration-expands-access-mental-health-substance-use-services-addition-10-new-states-ccbhc-medicaid-demonstration-program.html.