CA, KY Expand Behavioral Health Services Through Mobile Crisis Teams

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved proposals to expand behavioral health services for Medicaid beneficiaries in California and Kentucky through community-based mobile crisis intervention teams.

The approvals will allow the two states to connect Medicaid beneficiaries experiencing mental health or substance use crises to behavioral health providers at any time of day.

“Everyone should have access to behavioral health support where they are, when they need it – especially those who are in crisis,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in the press release. “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 intervention services option was made available under the American Rescue Plan. California and Kentucky are the fifth and sixth states that have expanded access to Medicaid behavioral health services through this route.

Mobile crisis intervention teams are staffed by trained behavioral health professionals and paraprofessionals who offer timely responses, individual screenings and assessments, stabilization and de-escalation services, and care coordination services. According to CMS, the teams help states improve the integration of behavioral health services into Medicaid programs.

“California and Kentucky recognize the vital importance of breaking down barriers to meet people in crisis with the care they need,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “With these approvals, California and Kentucky join a growing number of states in helping connect people to qualified health professionals as the first point of care during a crisis. This ensures people can get the care they need when and where they need it.”

Offering around-the-clock care to people experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises could help minimize the need for costly inpatient services, CMS said.

California’s and Kentucky’s state plan amendments include mobile crisis response planning, facilitation of handoffs, referrals to ongoing supports, and follow-up check-ins for those in crisis. Additionally, Kentucky is adding stabilization services beyond those provided by mobile crisis teams to its crisis continuum.

The proposal approvals build on HHS’ efforts to support President Biden’s strategy to improve mental health services. HHS also recently refined the 988 Lifeline to facilitate access for more populations. For example, the Department added Spanish text and chat services and specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults.

The Biden-Harris Administration has invested nearly $1 billion into the 988 Lifeline, which has increased the number of calls, texts, and chats in the past year.

Additionally, in January 2023, HHS expanded access to specialty behavioral healthcare for Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries by allowing state programs to reimburse specialists directly when primary care providers seek advice on behalf of a beneficiary.