About Behavioral Health
California has a behavioral health care crisis, as more Californians need care, and there are not enough providers to deliver that care. As a last resort, those facing a mental health crisis turn to hospital emergency departments. The number of people going to an emergency department for mental health needs jumped 68% from 2010 to 2020; for children 12 to 17 that number climbed 31%. Creating a behavioral health care system means making access easier and more equitable, while ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate setting.
Medicare Coverage for Behavioral Health Expanded
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that Medicare will cover visits with mental health counselors, addiction counselors, and marriage and family therapists, effective since Jan. 1.
What else to know: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will conduct both routine and focused program audits of Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations in 2024 to assess compliance with new requirements.
Changes Finalized to Substance Use Disorder Record Sharing Rules
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued long-awaited regulations implementing changes to requirements for sharing substance use disorder (SUD) patient data.
What else to know: The CHA-supported regulations are intended to better align SUD record-sharing rules with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements.
CHA Advocacy Materials on Key Issues Available
What’s happening: CHA has released advocacy materials — infographics, key messages, and issue briefs — for a suite of priority issues for 2024.
What else to know: Infographics offer a quick view for people in a hurry (e.g., lawmakers) while issue briefs provide a deeper dive for those who want more information (e.g., staffers). Both are ideal leave-behinds. Key messages are for use in developing talking points or presentations, or for general information.
CHA Analysis Reveals How Insurer Practices Impede Patient Care
What’s happening: CHA developed a detailed analysis of how insurance company practices negatively affect patients, which is a key proof point supporting a comprehensive strategy to hold insurers accountable for patient care in California.
What else to know: One of CHA’s priorities this year is to create greater accountability (network adequacy, prior authorization, medical necessity, payment practices, and parity) for insurers operating in California.
CMS Announces New Payment Model Targeting Behavioral Health
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a new Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model on Jan. 18.
What else to know: The Notice of Funding Opportunity will open in spring 2024, and up to eight states will be selected to participate.
Off and Running Toward Better Behavioral Health Care
In less than two months, Californians will head to the polls — or the post office for those who prefer mail-in ballots — for the 2024 primary election. A ballot question, Proposition 1, will ask voters to weigh in on whether or not to support a sweeping modernization of the state’s mental health system. This proposal will refocus billions of dollars in existing funds to prioritize Californians with the deepest mental health needs, living in encampments, or suffering the worst substance use disorders.
CHA Releases Advocacy Materials for 2024
What’s happening: New and updated advocacy materials are available for your use.
What else to know: Each packet contains an infographic, key messages, and an issue brief.
2024 Behavioral Health Care Symposium
Join us at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on December 10-11 for two days of relevant topics on behavioral health care in California from speakers you want to hear. If you thought the 2023 Symposium in Sacramento was good – just wait til this one. And this year you get to enjoy the great Pacific Ocean. Long Beach is a vacation destination so put this date on both your work and play calendars!
CDPH Launches New Opioid Resource Website and Awards Opioid Prevention Grants
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a one-stop-shop website with the latest information on the opioid epidemic and the state’s effort to address it.
What else to know: The website is part of Governor Newsom’s attempt to connect people with resources and treatments.
CHA Joins Advisory Group for California’s New 988 System
What’s happening: 988 replaced the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number in 2022. CHA’s Kirsten Barlow has been appointed to California’s 988-Crisis Policy Advisory Group tasked with developing a comprehensive five-year plan for the system.
What else to know: Barlow will ensure the hospital voice is part of the conversation shaping the future of a system designed to help people at risk of suicide, or with mental health or substance use disorder challenges.