The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced that Oregon will become the first state in the country to launch a Medicaid mobile crisis intervention program. This groundbreaking initiative provides immediate, community-based care to individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. HHS and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are calling it a first-of-its-kind program and are encouraging other states to follow Oregon’s lead. The program is part of the Biden administration’s broader plan to improve access, equity, and responsiveness in behavioral health care across the United States.
The Medicaid amendment enabling this initiative has been available to states since April 2022, allowing Oregon to provide mobile care to individuals in crisis. Mobile crisis teams, made up of behavioral health professionals and paraprofessionals, can be dispatched 24/7 to provide Medicaid mobile crisis intervention services. Teams offer a full range of crisis support, including screening, assessment, stabilization, and de-escalation. They also coordinate with health and social services to ensure ongoing care. CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure emphasized the importance of expanding access to these critical services, noting that Medicaid covers behavioral health services for millions of Americans.
A Community-Centered Approach
Oregon’s program is designed around a community-centered approach. Governor Kate Brown stressed that the Medicaid mobile crisis intervention model ensures that behavioral health crises are met with behavioral health responses rather than traditional law enforcement responses. Mobile crisis teams are trained in de-escalation techniques, crisis screening, and behavioral health assessments, with all services tailored to cultural, linguistic, and developmental needs. This approach reduces the risk of escalation and ensures individuals receive appropriate care from trained professionals.
Brooks-LaSure highlighted her visit to a mobile crisis site in Eugene with Senator Ron Wyden, where local officials, police, and health care providers collaborated to deliver essential services. By providing Medicaid mobile crisis intervention, Oregon demonstrates how partnerships between communities and behavioral health professionals can improve outcomes for individuals in crisis.
Funding and Expansion Opportunities
The American Rescue Plan supports the rollout of Medicaid mobile crisis intervention programs, providing $15 million in planning grants to help 20 state Medicaid agencies establish mobile crisis services. If these programs show promising results, additional funding could follow, supporting more widespread adoption. These grants allow states to build infrastructure, train staff, and integrate mobile crisis teams into their behavioral health systems.
Additionally, 988 call centers will now be able to request mobile crisis teams, further strengthening the national mental health support network. This ensures that individuals experiencing crises can access immediate, professional help through Medicaid mobile crisis intervention, creating a seamless link between crisis call centers and on-the-ground response teams.
Behavioral Health as a National Priority
Oregon’s Medicaid mobile crisis intervention program is part of a larger federal effort to prioritize behavioral health services. The Biden administration has invested nearly $300 million to expand mental health services in schools and awarded $79.1 million in overdose prevention grants. In 2022, $432 million supported the transition of the 988 crisis line, enhancing national crisis response capabilities. By introducing Medicaid mobile crisis intervention, Oregon is leading the way in transforming crisis response for behavioral health across the country.
Looking Ahead
As the program unfolds, CMS and HHS encourage other states to adopt similar approaches. The combination of federal funding, state innovation, and community partnerships demonstrates the potential of Medicaid mobile crisis intervention to improve access, equity, and outcomes for individuals in crisis. By providing immediate, culturally responsive, and professional care, states can reduce reliance on law enforcement and offer more effective support for behavioral health emergencies.
Oregon’s leadership sets a precedent for nationwide adoption, offering a model that other states can replicate to expand behavioral health crisis services and improve lives across the country.
