Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are the Bridge to Whole-Person Wellness
CCBHCs are the missing piece to Florida’s behavioral health system. CCBHCs are based on a national model that has been refined and tailored to Florida’s needs. They provide a structured framework that encourages and facilitates accountability-focused behavioral health transformation at the community provider level, both for patient services and value-based payment.
Through Florida’s CCBHC model, patients are able to receive the services they need, when they need them, regardless of the funding source. By aligning delivery and reimbursement structures, CCBHCs strengthen the way community-based behavioral health care is provided and sustained to serve Medicaid and safety-net systems.
The model emphasizes whole-person care. Patients can access a comprehensive range of services either under one roof or through coordinated partnerships, reducing the burden of navigating multiple providers and worrying about how services will be paid for.
To be certified, community providers must implement a full suite of evidence-based best practices that improve patient outcomes that may be difficult to adopt otherwise, for example:
- Quick access: Prompt intake and service engagement
- Tailored care: Services customized to each person's needs
- Broad coordination: Connecting behavioral health, physical health, and other services
This comprehensive approach creates more rapid change because these practices reinforce that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
This comprehensive approach creates more rapid change because these practices reinforce that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
This system change is underway, but it needs additional legislative support to achieve its full potential.
Implementation Status
Completed:
- Legislature appropriated $7M (FY 2024-25) to establish initial CCBHCs, and Federal SAMHSA funded 33 providers to implement best practices and prepare for certification
- AHCA has developed and submitted a state plan amendment
Next Steps:
- DCF is adopting certification and financial rules, updating accounting systems, and developing the certification process
- AHCA is developing the prospective payment system, obtaining federal approval for the state plan amendment, and updating managed care contracts
- Medicaid plans and managing entities will need to contract with CCBHCs and update systems
