Revised Draft of the CCBHC Updated Criteria, Open for Comments Until January 20, 2023

SAMHSA is seeking public comment on the initial revised draft of the update to the Certification Criteria for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). CCBHCs were established under the Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA, Public Law 113-93). Section 223 of PAMA requires the establishment of Medicaid demonstration programs to improve community behavioral health services through the development of CCBHCs. CCBHCs are required to provide a comprehensive array of coordinated services to anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of ability to pay, place of residence, or age – including developmentally appropriate care for children. PAMA required the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop criteria for states to use when certifying clinics to participate in their demonstration programs. These criteria include six areas: (1) staffing, (2) availability and accessibility of services, (3) care coordination, (4) scope of services, (5) quality and other reporting, and (6) organizational authority.