INDIANAPOLIS — Several certified community behavioral health clinics across the state will soon receive federal funding to improve access to needed mental health services, including 24/7 crisis care.
This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services said Indiana’s progress led to it being selected as one of 10 states to participate in a federal mental health pilot program. Several participating Indiana health care providers say it’s the culmination of years of hard work.
“We’re all in the same situation,” said Art Fuller, CCBHC director for Hamilton Center Inc.
Fuller’s clinic is one of eight CCBHCs in Indiana selected by FSSA to participate in the program.
“This designation allows us to come together as a state and really get to grips with what we need to do to transform our system so our state can serve all Indiana residents,” Fuller said.
Funding for mobile crisis services and the 988 awareness campaign could receive a much-needed boost, Fuller said.
“This is really going to help reduce that stigma across the state,” Fuller said.
The Biden administration said in a press release that pilot program centers will be fully reimbursed through Medicaid for the services they provide.
“the [an] “The doors are open, there are no false doors, so we won’t turn anyone away, regardless of their ability to pay,” Fuller said.
The FSSA said the centres were selected based on availability of services, personnel and care coordination.
“The term we use a lot is care coordination. Rather than going here and there, the CCBHC can also serve as an umbrella for care coordination,” Fuller said.
The FSSA said all eight centers should be ready to provide the necessary pilot program services by early 2025.
