The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved proposals from California and Kentucky to establish community-based mobile crisis intervention teams to provide Medicaid crisis services. The expansion is part of President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan and will enable eligible individuals in crisis to access behavioral health providers 24/7.
"Everyone should have access to behavioral health support where they are, when they need it – especially those who are in crisis," Xavier Becerra, HHS secretary, said in a July 20 news release from his department. "This decision ensures that Californians and Kentuckians will have access to mobile crisis and other community-based supports. These resources will help to improve and save lives."
The mobile crisis teams' purpose is to provide rapid response and de-escalation by trained behavioral health professionals, helping to better integrate behavioral health services into Medicaid programs and address the nation's mental health crisis, the release reported. Through the American Rescue Plan, access to community-based mental health and drug-crisis care has now been increased in six states.
Addressing the nation's mental health crisis is a primary focus for the Biden-Harris administration, and this new option gives states the chance to assist community-based mobile crisis intervention teams that offer services to Medicaid recipients, the release said. The interdisciplinary team offers screening and assessment, stabilization and de-escalation, coordination with other agencies and, when necessary, referrals to health, social and other services.
This enables states to more effectively incorporate behavioral health services into their Medicaid programs, which is essential for building the resilient, community-centered support systems that communities require, according to the release.
The new option will help California and Kentucky increase access to mental health specialists as the initial point of contact for someone in crisis, perhaps reducing the need for expensive inpatient services, the release said. For those going through a mental-health or drug-use disorder crisis, the state plans of Kentucky and California have been amended to include mobile crisis response crisis planning, facilitation of a warm handoff, referrals to ongoing resources and follow-up check-ins.
In addition to the stabilization services offered in the community after a crisis event by mobile crisis teams, Kentucky is also introducing new services to its crisis continuum, the release reported.
