The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday approved for Oregon the first Medicaid state plan amendment to cover community-based mobile crisis intervention services, an option made available to states under the American Rescue Plan Act. Mobile crisis intervention services provide individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis 24/7 access to a behavioral health specialist who can screen, assess, stabilize and refer them to health care, social and other services as needed. ARPA also provided $15 million in planning grants to help 20 state Medicaid agencies develop these programs.
 
“I encourage all states to take advantage of this opportunity and work with us to expand access to these critical health care services,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
 
Since July, anyone experiencing a suicide, mental health or substance use crisis also can call, chat or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Related News Articles

Headline
The AHA and other national hospital organizations Sept. 5 urged Senate and House leadership to act on preventing Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital…
Blog
In this insightful conversation hosted by Nancy Myers of the American Hospital Association, we explore how Owensboro Health (Ky.) and CredibleMind are…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 21 announced the creation of a Healthcare Advisory…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today announced a nationwide initiative aimed at reinforcing eligibility standards for Medicaid and the…
Headline
The AHA will accept applications through Oct. 14 for the 2026 AHA Dick Davidson NOVA Award. This award recognizes hospitals and health systems that demonstrate…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued the 2025-2026 Medicaid Managed Care Rate Development Guide for states to use when setting managed…