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
HHS Expands Access to Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has eliminated the X-waiver for physicians, meaning that physicians can prescribe buprenorphine without taking an eight-hour course and without obtaining a waiver from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
DHCS Issues Behavioral Health Information Notice on Implementation of AB 3242
On Jan. 11, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released Behavioral Health Information Notice No: 21-003 on the implementation of Assembly Bill (AB) 3242, which took effect on Jan. 1.
Summary Details Behavioral Health Issues in Governor’s Proposed 2021-22 Budget
CHA has issued a detailed summary, prepared by Kirsten Barlow Consulting, of behavioral health issues in the Governor’s fiscal year 2021-22 budget proposal.
COVID-19 Topic of Recent Behavioral Health Discussion; DHCS Hosting Weekly Provider Calls
CHA was part of a recent call with the California Health & Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health Secretary, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), and County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA) in which a number of COVID-19-related topics were discussed.
DMHC Issues All Plan Letter on Compliance with Mental Health and Substance Use Parity Law
On Jan. 5, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued All Plan Letter (APL) 21-002 to all commercial full-service health plans and specialized health plans offering behavioral health services that are regulated by the department. The guidance is designed to ensure health plans comply with amendments made to Senate Bill (SB) 855 (Wiener, D-San Francisco), the mental health and substance use parity law that took effect on Jan. 1.
Application Deadline for Mental Health Wellness Grant Program Is Jan. 29
The California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) reminds potential applicants that the deadline to apply for the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth (Children and Youth Program) second funding round is 5 p.m. (PT) on Jan. 29.
Revamped Website Offers Updated Information, Resources for Addiction Treatment
Health Management Associates (HMA) has revamped the AddictionFreeCA.org website to include updated information and resources on substance use disorder, opioid use disorder, and medications for addiction treatment (MAT).
Mental Health Commission Launches New Dashboards
The Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission has announced the launch of five new dashboards on its Transparency Suite to support learning communities to drive program improvement. The dashboards will also inform community planning by improving public access to information on mental health services and outcomes.
VA to Reconsider Payments to Providers for Some Denied Claims
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its third-party administrators, Optum and TriWest, will reconsider payments to providers whose claims were denied because of simple routing errors, including claims that were submitted to the wrong VA payer (VA or a TPA).
National Suicide Hotline Bill Signed into Law
On Oct. 17, President Trump signed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act into law, designating 988 as the nationwide three-digit phone number to connect people experiencing mental health crises to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.