The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Jan. 18 announced the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model (IBH) to improve behavioral and physical health of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.
IBH aims to improve quality of care and health outcomes for people with moderate to severe behavioral health conditions. The model will improve care integration by forming interprofessional care teams with behavioral and physical health providers at community-based behavioral health practices, as well as by providing community-based support.
CMS will select up to eight states to test IBH. Eligible providers must be community-based behavioral health organizations, including safety net providers, that:
- Are licensed by the state to deliver behavioral health services.
- Meet any state-specific Medicaid provider enrollment requirements and are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.
- Provide adult outpatient mental health or substance use disorder services to Medicaid beneficiaries.
IBH also will provide infrastructure funding during the pre-implementation period for health information technology capacity, telehealth tools, and practice transformation activities.
The model will launch in fall 2024 and is anticipated to operate for eight years. CMS will release a notice of funding opportunity in spring 2024. For more information, CMS published a fact sheet and FAQ for the model.
Contact Director of Policy Rob Nelb, MPH, at rnelb@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
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