Feds Begin Process to Update CCBHC Criteria

November 11, 2022

Earlier this week, SAMHSA held a Webinar to alert interested parties of their process for updating CCBHC criteria.  The webinar simply outlined the process SAMHSA will be using to complete this task.  We sent the announcement of that webinar to all members several weeks ago.  

More details: SAMHSA is currently in a “stakeholder engagement” period and written comments from anyone can be submitted to ccbhccriteria@samhsa.hhs.gov by Nov. 21. In addition, there is an opportunity to submit verbal comments next week (11/17).   Use the information below to register to make verbal comments.  

Once comments are received, SAMHSA will work to complete a draft of the new criteria, which will be released for a public comment period. Public comments will inform final revisions to the criteria, to be issued on or before March 2023.  

There is some more information available on a SAMHSA webpage about the updates: https://www.samhsa.gov/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinics/ccbhc-criteria-update-announcements

The NYS Council will submit written comments by 11/21, and we have registered to submit verbal comments on 11/17.  We will discuss this process and the changes that may ultimately be made by SAMSHA to CCBHC criteria during our upcoming NYS Council CCBHC Workgroup call on Monday morning.

Public Listening Session for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Criteria Update

Thursday, November 17, 2022, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) cordially invites the public to participate in a listening session on November 17, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. ET to 3:00 p.m. ET, with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET, regarding updates to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Certification Criteria. This listening session will be open to the public to provide recommendations on the update to the CCBHC Certification Criteria. Participants must register to attend the public listening session. The registration process will include time slots individuals can select to have a dedicated time to provide input during the listening session.

Please click here to register and to go directly to the listening session’s website for more information.
Register Now

CCBHCs were established under the Section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA). 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.

Since the initial publication of the Criteria seven years ago, a lot has changed, and states and providers now have years of experience with the CCBHC model. SAMHSA is seeking to make minor revisions to the Criteria to respond to new developments and lessons learned, while still maintaining the overarching requirements for program areas and scope of services outlined in the 2014 Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA).

We hope you will be able to join us. Please see the registration link above.

If you are unable to attend the listening session, you can provide your recommendations and input directly to SAMHSA by emailing CCBHCCriteria@SAMHSA.HHS.GOV.

For reference: