October 2024

CBHC Newsroom: October 2024

The CBHC Annual Conference took place at the end of September, bringing together professionals from across Colorado to discuss critical issues in behavioral health. With dynamic keynote speakers, engaging workshops, and insightful discussions, the event provided a platform for sharing innovative solutions and best practices. Attendees left inspired and equipped to further the mission of improving mental health services throughout the state. Thank you to all who participated and made the conference a success! We look forward to seeing you next year!

2025 CBHC Conference | September 17-20

Joint Budget Committee Listening Session with Safety Net Providers

On Oct. 10, Joint Budget Committee (JBC) members and other legislators convened a “listening session” with CEOs of safety net providers. The goal was to hear directly from the leaders of these organizations about the impact of the end of the Medicaid public health emergency (PHE) on their ability to serve their communities.

During the COVID PHE, Medicaid disenrollments were suspended. Providers always knew that, when the PHE was ended, some people would lose their Medicaid coverage and some of those people would not be able to secure private insurance. Unfortunately, in some areas, the rate of disenrollment was much steeper and deeper than the state had projected and for which providers had budgeted. Of course, just because a person loses their Medicaid coverage doesn’t mean they stop needing or seeking care – and safety net providers’ mission is to care for them regardless. So safety net providers of all types have been dealing with significant increases in uncompensated care.

While HCPF has presented statewide numbers to JBC and outlined the strategies they are deploying to improve eligibility determination processes and reduce inappropriate disenrollments, the provider voice had not been as prominent. And because many providers have been forced to scale back programs and lay off staff, legislators wanted to get a better understanding of the scope of the problem and the impact on communities.

Thirteen CEOs representing community mental centers, federally qualified health centers, non-FQ primary care clinics and hospitals presented sobering testimony about significant increases in uncompensated care and the measures they’ve taken to address the resulting budget shortfalls. Kiara Kuenzler, CEO of Jefferson Center for Mental Health, noted a 50% increase in the number of uninsured at her center. Dante Gonzales, CEO of Centennial Mental Health, explained that he has had to shrink his budget by close to one-third. They explained the measures they took to fill the budget gaps: consolidating clinics, scaling back programs, gutting their reserves, freezing new hires, reducing administrative expenses, securing one-time grants, and others – before ultimately having to lay off staff. And even though every CEO who testified noted that they tried to focus staff reductions on administrative positions so as not to affect client care, some client-facing positions at each organization represented were affected. Indeed, the CEO of one primary care clinic noted that she had been going to announce the closure of her clinic that day and was only saved from doing so by a last-minute renegotiation of her lease – but she still had to lay off a significant number of staff.

Kuenzler, Gonzales and Carl Clark (WellPower CEO, who also testified) explained that, for safety net behavioral health providers, the problem is exacerbated by other pressures including changes to the Medicaid payment formula and new requirements that haven’t come with new reimbursement streams.

JBC Chair Rep. Shannon Bird made clear that the goal of the session was simply to listen in order to get a better understanding of the problem – not to identify solutions. Indeed, in the face of a nearly $1 billion state budget shortfall, solutions to such significant budget problems are challenging. Nevertheless, CBHC and the other associations whose members testified are working on a set of recommendations that include both Medicaid eligibility determination/enrollment interventions and ways to reduce administrative requirements so that current funding can go further and better support clinical care.

CBHC Behavioral Health Champions

CBHC was proud to honor Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer and Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy as this year’s Behavioral Health Champions! Each year CBHC’s Board of Directors recognizes legislative champions who have a demonstrated passion for advancing public policy related to behavioral health. Our champions:

Demonstrate leadership and are responsive to the public by advancing sound behavioral health policy
Engage colleagues and peers regarding behavioral health policy issues
Reach across party lines to solve problems
Act to protect and enhance Colorado’s publicly funded behavioral health system

In collaboration with our members North Range Behavioral Health and Community Reach Center, we recognized Joint Budget Committee member Sen. Kirkmeyer for her tenacious advocacy on funding for the safety net, addressing the significant financial impact of increased Medicaid disenrollments with the end of the COVID public health emergency and creating a system of care for children’s behavioral health. Notably, she has also been a fierce champion for seeking a statewide grant to implement the Certified Community Behavioral Healthcare Clinic model: a crucial tool for improving access and quality, and drawing down additional federal funding for safety net behavioral health.

Jefferson Center for Mental Health joined us in applauding the legislative career of outgoing Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy. As first a member and then chair of the Interim Committee on Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders, Rep. deGruy Kennedy sponsored numerous bills to advance prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction. He also championed efforts to support the behavioral health safety net.

Congratulations and thank you to our 2024 CBHC Behavioral Health Champions!

Congress Passes Short-term Funding Bill

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that provides stopgap funding through Dec. 20, avoiding a potential shutdown ahead of the FY24 funding deadline (Sept. 30). This CR contains a few additional policy riders, including extensions for health-related items, such as programs for autism, and veterans’ programs, such as housing support and integrative health. Looking forward, lawmakers will need to continue negotiations on a final funding deal, and the outcomes of the November elections will likely have a significant impact on the lame-duck session of Congress and the path toward finalizing FY25 appropriations.
You can read the bill here.

Criminal and Juvenile Justice Collaborative Meeting Series (Hybrid)

Join the HCPF Criminal and Juvenile Justice Collaborative, which meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. MT. This collaborative provides ongoing feedback to ensure stakeholder participation in the development of criminal justice projects, including ARPA 8.10 Criminal Justice Partnerships, the Consolidated Appropriations Act Juvenile Justice initiative, and the 1115 Re-entry Waiver.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, and is available both in-person and virtually.

In-person location:
303 E. 17th Ave., Denver, CO 80203

Virtual access:
Join via Zoom
Join by phone: 877-853-5257 (Toll-free)
Webinar ID: 895 8171 8788
Passcode: 011267

The Role of CCBHCs in Crisis Services and Systems

To ensure that anyone facing a mental health or substance use crisis has access to timely help, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model is a critical resource for building and strengthening a universal crisis system. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Medical Director Institute recently published The Role of CCBHCs in Crisis Services and Systems, a white paper outlining best practices for CCBHCs, crisis providers, state authorities, and funders.

The paper highlights how CCBHCs can meet certification requirements, secure sustainable funding, and transform crisis care across communities. Download the white paper to learn more about leveraging the CCBHC model to enhance crisis systems nationwide.

Download Now

New Integrated Care Billing Tool from the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions

The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions (CoE-IHS), in partnership with Bowling Business Strategies, has released an updated Integrated Care Billing Decision Support Tool (DST). This tool now includes two new billing modules for tobacco use disorder treatment and health-related social needs, helping provider organizations sustainably finance integrated care.

The tool also provides updated billing, financing, and staffing resources under the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, covering key services like medication for opioid use disorder, care coordination, metabolic monitoring, and more.

For more information, contact Integration@TheNationalCouncil.org.

Download the Tools!

“Thursdays at 4” Crisis Response Interest Group Connection Series

If you work in crisis response, you know the feeling — urgent needs often arise just as the week is wrapping up. To support those in this challenging field, the National Council’s Crisis Response Interest Group hosts the “Thursdays at 4” connection series, offering a safe, informal space to share stories, challenges, and lessons learned.

Join the next session on Thursday, October 17, from 4-5 p.m. ET to recharge and connect with others in crisis response. Led by National Council staff and experts, this online gathering is the perfect way to prepare for Friday’s challenges. We hope to see you there!

SBIRT Training – Thursday, Nov. 7, 2-5 p.m. ET

Enhance your skills with Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) training on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 2-5 p.m. ET. This three-hour virtual session will cover essential best practices to integrate mental health and medical care while addressing risky alcohol and drug use in adults.

SBIRT is an evidence-based early intervention model ideal for primary care, emergency departments, and mental health clinics. Whether you’re new to SBIRT or need a refresher, this training is designed for both clinicians and administrators.

For more information on SBIRT, explore the National Council’s change packages or learn about their consulting services tailored to your organization’s needs.