In a significant move to strengthen mental health and substance use disorder services, the Biden administration has announced an expansion of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid demonstration program to include 10 additional states. This initiative aims to improve access to comprehensive, community-based behavioral health care, particularly for individuals experiencing mental health crises or substance use challenges.
Strengthening Community-Based Behavioral Health Services
CCBHCs play a crucial role in the nation’s behavioral health system, offering a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of individuals regardless of their ability to pay. These clinics provide round-the-clock crisis intervention, mental health treatment, and substance use disorder services, ensuring that individuals facing urgent health challenges receive immediate and coordinated care.
Before this expansion, only eight states were part of the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration program. The addition of 10 new states marks a significant step forward in broadening access to these essential services nationwide.
A Federally Supported Expansion
The expansion is made possible through funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to add 10 new states to the CCBHC Medicaid demonstration program every two years. This effort is a collaboration between HHS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
“CCBHCs provide a model of care that supports wellness for the entire community and connects people to care,” said Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of SAMHSA. “Equity is a significant and overarching priority in all that we do, and expanding and improving the CCBHC model across America helps us to continue our path forward to make quality behavioral health care for everyone even more widely available.”
The 10 States Joining the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program
The newly added states are:
- Alabama
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
This expansion means that more individuals in these states will have access to the high-quality, integrated mental health and substance use disorder services provided by CCBHCs.
CCBHCs Are Already Delivering Strong Results
According to a new report from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, CCBHCs are making significant progress in increasing access to behavioral health care and improving service coordination.
Nationwide, there are currently 495 active CCBHCs, serving approximately 3 million people—a number that continues to grow each year. Medicaid-supported CCBHCs, in particular, have seen a 33% increase in the number of people served.
One of the most encouraging findings from the report is the positive impact on children and adolescents:
- 25% of CCBHCs reported a substantial increase in the number of youth clients.
- 16% of clinics expanded access for uninsured individuals, making care more available to those who might otherwise go without treatment.
A Comprehensive Approach: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services
CCBHCs go beyond traditional mental health care—they also provide specialized treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). The report found that:
- 87% of CCBHCs offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder.
- 68% of clinics reported an increase in the number of clients receiving MAT services since becoming a CCBHC.
This expansion of substance use treatment services is crucial, given the ongoing opioid crisis and the increasing demand for comprehensive addiction treatment.
Integrating Mental and Physical Health Care
A key principle of the CCBHC model is whole-person care, which integrates mental health services with primary care to address overall health needs.
According to the report:
- The majority of CCBHCs provide health screenings, either directly or through partnerships with primary care providers.
- 40% of clinics coordinate care with primary care providers, ensuring that patients receive holistic medical and behavioral health treatment.
- 27.9% of CCBHCs function as comprehensive primary care providers in addition to their behavioral health services.
- 21.9% have co-location agreements with primary care services, making it easier for patients to receive multiple types of care in one location.
A Step Forward in Expanding Equitable Behavioral Health Care
CCBHCs play a vital role in bridging gaps in the mental health and substance use treatment landscape. By integrating behavioral health with primary care and forming partnerships with hospitals, schools, and law enforcement, these clinics provide a coordinated and accessible approach to care.
As the program expands, more Americans will have access to high-quality, affordable behavioral health care—when and where they need it most. The Biden administration’s commitment to expanding the CCBHC model marks an important step in addressing the nation’s mental health and substance use crises with innovative, community-centered solutions.
