House Bill 1496

AN ACT RELATING TO CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS (CCBHC); TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE FEDERAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (SAMSHA) TO JOIN THE MEDICAID CCBHC DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AT THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPLICATION PERIOD; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID, IN COLLABORATION WITH STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, SHALL SUBMIT A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO CMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCBHC MODEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CCBHC SYSTEM PROVIDED UNDER THIS ACT SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED BY FEDERAL LAWS GOVERNING THE CCBHC MODEL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SHALL BE THE ENTITY CHARGED WITH CERTIFYING AND MONITORING COMPLIANCE OF CCBHC CLINICS, AND THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING A PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM TO FUND THE CCBHC PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The purpose of this section is to improve quality, access, and innovation in the provision of mental health and substance use services to individuals treated at community mental health centers, operated by regional commissions as provided in Section 41-19-33, through enhanced certification of community mental health centers as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). CCBHCs shall provide comprehensive, holistic services, respond to local needs, incorporate evidence-based practices, and establish care coordination as a lynchpin for service delivery including effective community partnerships with law enforcement, schools, hospitals, primary care providers, veterans' groups and other organizations to improve care, reduce recidivism, and address health disparities.

(2) The State Department of Mental Health and the Division of Medicaid shall submit an application to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to join the Medicaid Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration Program established by Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) of 2014 at the next available application period.

(3) The Division of Medicaid, in collaboration with State Department of Mental Health, shall submit a State Plan Amendment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the purpose of statewide implementation of the CCBHC model as soon as possible after the effective date of this section. At the discretion of the State Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Division of Medicaid, certification of community mental health centers as CCBHC clinics may be phased in based upon a jointly agreed-upon timeline. Each community mental health center shall have the opportunity to apply for CCBHC certification by July 1, 2026.

(4) The CCBHC system provided under this section shall be consistent with the Demonstration Program established by Section 223 of the PAMA and other applicable federal laws governing the CCBHC model. The State Department of Mental Health shall be the entity charged with certifying and monitoring compliance of CCBHC clinics, and the Division of Medicaid shall be responsible for establishing a prospective payment system (PPS) to fund the CCBHC program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.