Earlier this week, President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 4302, a bill to temporarily stave off Medicare physician payment cuts that also includes the Excellence in Mental Health Act, a $900-million, two-year demonstration program that will provide mental health and substance use treatment service in eight states.
Here's the beginning of an article about the basics of the act, including how the eight states will be chosen:
The Basics. The Excellence Act establishes a new federal definition and criteria for “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics” or CBHCs. It also provides for a 2-year, 8-state pilot project in which organizations that meet CBHC criteria will be eligible for an enhanced payment rate through Medicaid, under a Prospective Payment System developed by each participating state. The ultimate goal: improved access to comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment services.
The Timeline. This won’t all happen right away. First, the Department of Health and Human Services will have to provide concrete details on what it means to be certified as a CBHC and how the 8 states will be selected for the demonstration program. Initial guidance won’t come until September 2015.
The States. The 8 states will be selected through a competitive application process. But first, they must apply for a planning grant, to be awarded in January 2016.
Details about the passage of the act:
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