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. The caregivers at hospitals know the obstacles people with behavioral health conditions face and the challenges in getting them the treatment they need. While hospitals embrace the essential role they play in addressing this crisis, more needs to be done. Solutions like payment reform, resource allocation, more outpatient and community-based services, a bolstered behavioral health workforce, and a statewide set of standardized core services will help Californians with behavioral health conditions access the care they deserve.
About Behavioral Health
CMS Issues Final Rule on FFY 2022 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2022 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) final rule updating payment policies and rates. The final rule is effective Oct. 1.
Grants Available to Address Health Care Worker Burnout, Strengthen Resiliency
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced the availability of $103 million in grants over a three-year period to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health care workforce.
CMS Issues CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its calendar year (CY) 2022 physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule on July 13. Comments on the rule are due by 2 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 13.
SAMHSA Offers Telehealth Guide for Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released a new guide on telehealth treatment.
Funding Available for Telehealth Expansion Projects
The California Department of Health Care Services is using available federal grant funding for a Medication Assisted Treatment access points telehealth expansion project throughout the state.
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals: Building Awareness of Medicare & Medi-Cal Crossover Claims
Crossover claim billing can be an important part of an acute psychiatric hospital’s reimbursement strategy, providing a hospital with a significant cash flow for claims that otherwise wouldn’t be paid. However, navigating the system to collect on these claims can often feel like an upstream battle.
HRSA Awards to Help Bolster California’s Behavioral Health Workforce in Underserved Communities
On June 9, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $22 million in awards to 56 recipients as part of the Behavioral Health Workforce and Education Training Program for Professionals. California organizations will receive $5,561,042 in funding.
Getting ER patients the support, drug treatment they need
Substance Use Navigators support emergency room patients with substance use disorders, which includes sharing safer drug use techniques, connecting patients with drug treatment programs, and serving as a liaison between patients and the treatment team.
Guide Offers Help for a Loved One Who Is Suicidal
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released a new guide called Helping Your Loved One Who is Suicidal: A Guide for Family and Friends. This guide is designed to help families who have a loved one who is suicidal or has made a suicide attempt. It provides information on understanding suicide, warning signs and action steps to […]
CMS Data Show Vulnerable Americans Skipped Mental Health Care During Pandemic
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released new findings that show Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries skipped millions of primary, preventive, and mental health care visits from March 2020 to October 2020, compared with the same period in 2019.