October 27, 2024 – The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has announced that the 19 Certified Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) participating in a federal Medicaid Demonstration Program are now offering mental health care and substance use treatment services under this new model. The model significantly increases access to behavioral health care, including crisis care, for individuals who may otherwise experience challenges accessing the services they need.
“Thanks to the close collaboration with the participating providers and our sister agency, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), enhanced behavioral health services are now available to individuals at 19 locations across Illinois,” said HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn. “Access to high-quality behavioral health services is critical, and this program will help us to serve individuals who are in crisis and have previously struggled to access the services they need to be well.”
Earlier this year, Illinois was selected as one of ten states to participate in the federal CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program which is designed to expand and improve access to coordinated services. The CCBHC Demonstration Program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services that CCBHCs provide and at higher rates than community mental health centers previously received for Medicaid customers. The participating clinics’ services must meet federal standards, and they must serve anyone who requests care for their mental health or substance use condition, regardless of age, ability to pay, or location…