The push to meet new certification criteria winds to a close next week for many Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), depending on their expansion grant status and state demonstration pilot requirements.
July 1 is the compliance deadline for revised certification criteria issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) back in March 2023.
Many CCBHCs have been working diligently to make certain they are up to date with new criteria for client needs assessments, quality reporting, contracts with Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCO) and many other aspects of operation under the revised criteria.
Some CCBHCs not affected by July 1 deadline
Not all CCBHCs are affected by SAMHSA’s July 1 certification criteria deadline because different rules and regulations apply to clinics based on whether they are part of a federal demonstration.
Back in 2014, a handful of states were targeted for an initial demonstration model launched through the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA.) Those states included Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Oregon.
The PAMA demonstration has not been expanded until earlier this month, when 10 additional states were accepted into the demonstration. States just admitted include Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont.
In the decade between the launch of the PAMA demonstration and this month’s expansion, states wanting to offer CCBHC services had to piece together their own versions if they wanted to offer CCBHC services. The result can be sometimes confusing, as there is a collection of different types of CCBHC models operating under several different types of rules and regulations.
How SimiTree can help
At SimiTree, we know there are often last-minute questions associated with the implementation of a deadline. Our analytics and compliance consultants are knowledgeable and eager to help answer any questions your organization may have.
And, since our consultants take pride in going the extra mile for our clients, we’d also love to show your organization how to build some easy improvements into all data-collecting processes, including:
- Processes for easily identifying clients who are eligible for the measures
- Reliable tracking and alert systems to stay within required timeframes
- Use of standardized screening tools and assessments for stronger compliance
Reach out to us today with any questions you have about meeting SAMSHA’s new certification criteria, and let’s work together to leverage quality data to improve care, streamline workflow, and drive performance.
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Ask your compliance questions – or request the specific topic you’d like more information about – by writing to me at jgriffin@simitreehc.com to tell me what you’d like to read about in a future Compliance Report.
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J’non Griffin serves as Senior Vice President for the Compliance as well as Coding divisions at SimiTree. With a healthcare career that spans three decades, she has a track record of helping many provider types implement effective compliance programs. She has worked with organizations nationwide to develop compliant emergency preparedness and operation plans, implement fully compliant plans of care, and meet regulatory demands. As an AHIMA ambassador, Griffin was instrumental in preparing the coding community for the launch of ICD-10.