Administration Announces New Program: the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model

On Thursday January 18, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held a behavioral health stakeholder meeting to discuss the Biden Administration’s dedication to improving access to behavioral health care. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and SAMHSA Assistant Secretary for Mental Health, Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon announced the Administrations new Innovation in Behavioral Health Model (IBH Model).

The IBH Model will modernize behavioral health services is a step forward towards integrating behavioral health and physical health care. Through this value-based, collaborative payment care system, the IBH Model will provide coordinated care to individuals living with behavioral health needs and remove barriers to accessing behavioral health services.

Under this model, interprofessional care teams will consist of behavioral health and physical health providers, as well as community-based support services to provide those with whole-centered care; which is the models approach connecting individuals with the physical, behavioral, and social supports needed to manage their care.

This program will roll out in the Fall of 2024 in 8 states through a cooperative agreement. For more information about this new program, please visit the IBH Models homepage or contact ACA at advocacy@counseling.org.