The evolution of behavioral health care provides benefits to clients needing services and organizations offering them. The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) is an up-and-coming care model that can offer access to equitable, high-quality care that is sustainable. As of July 2023, both CARF and TJC offer accreditation for an established CCBHC. There are over 500 CCBHCs in the United States today.

A program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CCBHCs were designed to offer equitable, high quality behavioral health care to any person seeking services, including mental health or substance abuse. Crisis services are to be made available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with care coordination to help individuals manage several types of care, including mental and physical healthcare and social services.

The first CCBHC in the country received accreditation from CARF in December 2023*, and PowderHorn Consulting is prepared to help other organizations incorporate this model with accreditation consulting services.

The Joint Commission (TJC) recently shared eight reasons that CCBHCs are the wave of the future:

1. Improved access to care – On average, clinics with certified CCBHC status see a 25% increase in the number of patients they can serve.
2. New service lines – Increased array of services.
3. Chronic health management – The CCBHC model is integrative, whole-person care.
4. Increased hiring and retention – Organizations can leverage grant funds and expanded reimbursement to facilitate this.
5. Redesigned care teams – Enables the team to focus on the individuals they serve.
6. Improved community partnerships – Formal agreements established with Designated Collaborating Organizations (DCOs).
7. Fewer hospitalizations and reduced ER visits – Integrative care produces better client outcomes.
8. Improved physical care for individuals – Physical health monitoring in five key areas, including management of BMI, weight, and diabetes, and tobacco and alcohol cessation tools.

PowderHorn Consulting is available to assist organizations with a CCBHC model to pursue accreditation. The criteria that establish the basic level of service at which a CCBHC should operate falls into six key program areas:

1. Staffing
2. Availability and accessibility of services
3. Care coordination
4. Scope of services
5. Quality and other reporting
6. Organizational authority and governance

This newer model of care, typically offered in non-traditional locations with lower overhead, is changing the way all clients can receive behavioral health care. PowderHorn Consulting wants to be a part of the evolving comprehensive care by offering accreditation consulting to these facilities. Fill out the contact form to the right or call (614) 908-2789.