Michigan Is A Launch Partner In CMS' 'Innovation in Behavioral Health' Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will grant MDHHS up to $ 7.5 million to implement the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model:

Michigan joins program to expand behavioral health services
By Elyse Apel | December 27, 2024

(The Center Square) – Michigan will be one of four states participating in a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services program.

The Innovation in Behavioral Health Model will allow for greater collaboration between CMS, participating states, and community-based behavioral health providers for adults enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare patients with mental health conditions or substance use disorders.

Michigan will join New York, Oklahoma and South Carolina in also participating in the program.

“The IBH Model supports specialty behavioral health practices in the delivery of integrated care in outpatient settings by prioritizing close collaboration with primary care and other physical health providers with a goal to address all aspects of a patient’s care,” CMS said in a statement.

The program will begin Wednesday and will run for eight years. Oklahoma will be the only state implementing it statewide, while Michigan and the other states will be implementing it in specific service areas throughout the state.

The state-based program will strive to “bridge the gap between behavioral and physical health” through a model led by state Medicaid agencies.

“Medicaid and Medicare populations experience disproportionately high rates of mental health conditions or SUDs, or both,” the program said. “As a result, they are more likely to experience poor health outcomes such as frequent visits to the emergency department and hospitalizations, or premature death.”

The program hopes to specifically address that need by providing “integrated services” and allowing an “interprofessional care team” to coordinate care among providers.

CMS will provide participating states funding for the program, awarding a maximum of $7.5M to each state Medicaid agency. These funds will then be used to support care integration and coordination between providers.

The program was an initiative of the Biden-Harris Administration.

“The IBH Model will help improve the quality of care and health outcomes for people with moderate to severe behavioral health conditions,” said Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary for mental health and substance use. “Additionally, this model will enhance the behavioral health system infrastructure and the staffing to support it.”

Elyse Apel is an apprentice reporter with The Center Square, covering Georgia and North Carolina. She is a 2024 graduate of Hillsdale College.