KBH is one of 5 agencies in Maine that has been designated as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services. (The other agencies that provide services under Maine’s new CCBHC are Aroostook Mental Health Center, Community Health & Counseling Services, Spurwink, and Sweetser.)

CCBHCs are specially designated clinics that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices, care coordination for clients (such as primary care, other behavioral health providers, and social services), and screening for physical health care concerns.

Being designated as a CCBHC by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services will allow KBH to increase access to care, improve service quality, and expand the services offered. As a CCBHC, KBH will receive a bundled monthly MaineCare payment for clients who receive an eligible CCBHC encounter, instead of being paid on a fee-for-service basis for units of service.

CCBHCs are required to provide the following nine (9) core services:

• 24/7 Crisis Services
• Screening, Diagnosis & Risk Assessment
• Outpatient Primary Care Screening & Monitoring
• Person & Family-Centered Treatment Planning
• Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services
• Targeted Case Management
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
• Peer, Family Support & Counselor Services
• Community-Based Mental Health Care for Veterans

CCBHCs are required to provide the following nine (9) core services:

• 24/7 Crisis Services
• Screening, Diagnosis & Risk Assessment
• Outpatient Primary Care Screening & Monitoring
• Person & Family-Centered Treatment Planning
• Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Services
• Targeted Case Management
• Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
• Peer, Family Support & Counselor Services
• Community-Based Mental Health Care for Veterans

KBH’s Augusta, Skowhegan, Waterville, and Winthrop clinics are designated CCBHC sites. Services being provided through our Farmington clinic are not CCBHC-eligible.

CCBHC services do not cost more, and clients do not have to do anything to be enrolled. KBH will process new service authorizations to move clients who are receiving at least one CCBHC service over to our CCBHC billing system by July 1. After July 1, incoming clients will automatically be designated as CCBHC clients if they receive one or more CCBHC services at KBH.

In addition to the “core services” a client may receive at KBH (for example, Med Clinic, Outpatient, and Case Management services), clients may also choose to take advantage of additional CCBHC services, including Care Coordination, Peer Support, and Psychosocial Education services. There is no additional charge, and there are no eligibility requirements for these support services. CCBHC clients are not required to utilize our full range of expanded CCBHC services—as always, services are determined by client choice. KBH will be working to make these services available to all clients who are receiving CCBHC services going forward.

Care Coordination for CCBHC clients will be provided by an Access Center Care Coordinator or by the client’s Case Manager if they are receiving KBH Case Management services.

Clients may receive both CCBHC services and non-CCBHC services from KBH concurrently. Clients may also receive CCBHC services from more than one agency concurrently or receive CCBHC services from one agency and non-CCBHC services from another agency concurrently, provided there is no duplication of services.

CCBHCs are required to serve clients regardless of their ability to pay. Clients receiving CCBHC services who do not have insurance or do not wish to use their insurance are eligible to apply for discounted rates based on their household income. Clients will receive information on our Sliding Fee Scale at the time of intake. (Our sliding fee scale is also available to our non-CCBHC clients.)

KBH has a Veteran & Military Liaison who can help clients access VA benefits for active service members, veterans, and military family members who are receiving CCBHC services. Our Veteran & Military Liaison is also available to consult with KBH staff to support treatment needs for clients.

During KBH’s first year as a CCBHC, we will be refining and improving our CCBHC service model to provide more integrated, person and family-centered care. We will continue to offer new features in Neo to support you in working as part of a multidisciplinary care team with your KBH colleagues to serve our clients better and to improve client outcomes across the lifespan.