Learn more about CCBHCs in Georgia

Why CCBHCs?

The CCBHC model has been found to increase access to mental health and substance use care through increased availability of same-day appointments and expanded hours of operation made possible by increased hiring and expanded outreach to the community.

In 2020, Congress recognized the success of the CCBHC model and expanded the original eight-state Medicaid demonstration program to include additional states. Today, there are more than 500 CCBHCs operating in 46 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam.

Watch CCBHC State Project Director, Sarepta Archila, LPC, provide an overview of the path to certification and efforts in Georgia.

Improving outcomes through tailored treatment

CCBHCs are a new provider type in Medicaid being offered across Georgia. This new care model addresses health comprehensively, expands access, and improves outcomes, as treatment is tailored to needs and funding is based on cost. CCBHCs in Georgia will help evolve and advance traditional Community Service Boards (CSBs) into a more robust and effective model.

A whole-patient approach

A CCBHC is a specially designated clinic that receives flexible funding to expand the scope of mental health and substance use services in the community. They are tasked with providing a whole-patient approach: combining mental and behavioral health evaluation and treatment with evaluation and treatment for physical health.

Continuous service delivery improvement

CCBHCs receive an enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate based on their costs to deliver services that meet the needs of the people in the community. Rigorous measurement of outcomes informs continuous service delivery improvement. Much like the evolutions happening around physical health in the U.S., CCBHCs improve access, outcomes, and performance rather than focusing solely on supplying services.

Key Aspects of CCBHCs + Resources

Understanding the Prospective Payment System (PPS) Rate for CCBHCs - An overview of the PPS rate, how it is formulated, and how this funding model increases the sustainability of community services.

Understanding the State Plan Amendment (SPA) Process - When a state proposes an amendment to its state plan, it sends the revisions to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review.

Successful Board - Playbook - Guidance to help CCBHC candidate agency staff document and successfully meet CCBHC certification criteria.

CCBHC Overview One-Pager - A one-page overview describing how Georgia is evolving Community Service Boards into CCBHCs