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If cost has been the wall between you and treatment, there is real news worth knowing about.
Ten more states have joined a federal program that expands Medicaid rehab coverage for addiction and mental health care, which means more people can now get treatment that is free or close to it.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services added 10 states to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program, according to Becker’s Behavioral Health, reporting on a May 28 HHS announcement.
The expansion supports a coordinated federal effort to address addiction in the country. The states joining are Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Washington and West Virginia.
The program gives states sustainable Medicaid funding for mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services.
What a CCBHC Actually Offers
A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, or CCBHC, is a clinic that meets federal standards for care.
Those standards include 24/7 crisis care, timely outpatient services and access to a comprehensive range of behavioral health services, with care coordination when you need it.
In plain terms, these are clinics built to serve people regardless of their ability to pay, with Medicaid covering the cost for those who qualify. That is the heart of why this matters if money has been your main barrier.
Who Qualifies for Free or Low-Cost Treatment
Medicaid is the key here. If you are enrolled in Medicaid in one of the participating states, treatment at a CCBHC is generally covered.
Medicaid eligibility is based mostly on income and household size, and each state sets its own thresholds.
If you are not sure whether you qualify, it is worth checking. Many people who are eligible for Medicaid never enroll simply because they assume they would not qualify.
How the Program Is Growing
The model launched in 2017 with 66 CCBHCs across eight states. Becker’s reports that more than 500 CCBHCs now operate in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
With this latest expansion, 31 of the 46 states with CCBHCs will support the model through their Medicaid programs or the demonstration program.
States selected for participation complete a one-year planning phase funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration before entering the four-year demonstration program.
Free Resources
– SAMHSA National Helpline, free and confidential, 24/7: 1-800-662-4357
– Check your state’s Medicaid program to see if you qualify for covered rehab
– Look for a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in your area for crisis care and outpatient treatment
Finding Affordable Treatment
If you live in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Washington, or West Virginia, a CCBHC may be one of the most affordable paths to care available to you right now. Even outside those states, more than 500 of these clinics are already operating nationwide.
Check if your state offers Medicaid coverage for rehab and contact SAMHSA’s national helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
Rehabs.org provides a nationwide directory of free and low-cost programs, including resources that may accept Medicaid coverage. Call
800-914-7089
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to speak with a treatment advisor today.
