About Behavioral Health

An estimated 7.5 million people in California experience a mental health disorder in any given year, but only one-third of adults who experience mental illness are getting treatment due to a lack of behavioral health care workers. Despite major improvements in health care coverage over the past decade, substantial discrepancies persist in available behavioral health care among commercial health plans and public programs. For this reason, many people experiencing mental health crises frequently turn to hospital emergency departments for treatment, and this number is increasing. From 2011 to 2020, there was a 68% increase. Caregivers at hospitals know the obstacles people with behavioral health conditions face and the challenges in getting them treatment and embrace the essential role they play in helping those in crisis. Strategies must mirror those in primary health care where the goal is prevention and early intervention, along with offering a continuum of services that will help Californians with behavioral health needs avoid acute care, hospitalization, incarceration, conservatorships, and institutionalization.
CHA Issues Draft Comments on FFY 2024 IRF, SNF, and IPF PPS Proposed Rules
CHA has issued members-only draft comments on the federal fiscal year 2024 inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) prospective payment system (PPS), skilled-nursing facility (SNF) PPS, and inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) PPS proposed rules. CHA encourages members to use the drafts as a template to submit their own comment letters.
2023 Behavioral Health Care Symposium
Did you see we will be in Sacramento this year? Bringing California’s hospital leaders, policy makers, and experts on behavioral health together, the symposium will dive into the public policies, politics, and financial issues shaping behavioral health care in our state. Please save this date on your department calendar and in your personal calendar. Share […]
Governor Releases Revised 2023-24 State Budget Proposal
On May 12, the governor released the May Revision, an update to his January budget proposal for the fiscal year (FY) extending from July 2023 through June 2024. The Legislature has until June 15 to pass the budget.
Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities for Some Medications Extended
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have issued a temporary rule that extends telehealth prescribing flexibilities for buprenorphine and other controlled substances through Nov. 11, 2024.
CHA Issues Summary of Finalized Policies for 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs
CHA has issued a members-only summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the finalized changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2024.
CHA Issues Summaries of FFY 2024 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities and Skilled-Nursing Facilities Prospective Payment System Proposed Rules
CHA has issued members-only summaries, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the federal fiscal year 2024 inpatient psychiatric hospital facilities (IPF) and skilled-nursing facilities (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rules. Comments on both rules are due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by June 5.
CMS Finalizes Policies for 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Programs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2024. The final rule is effective June 5.
CMS Issues Proposed Payment and Policy Updates for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system proposed rule. Comments are due to CMS by 2 p.m. (PT) on June 5.
President Biden Releases 2024 Budget Request
On March 9, President Biden released his $6.9 trillion proposed budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024 to Congress.
CalBridge Funding Will Help Train Behavioral Health Navigators
On March 1, the Department of Health Care Services awarded more than $4.6 million to 39 hospitals with emergency departments (EDs). Each hospital received $120,000 to train behavioral health navigators to help expand access to substance use disorder and mental health services.