The District of Columbia’s Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) and the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) have partnered to develop a Health Home State Plan benefit that will target individuals with severe and persistent mental illness to help improve health outcomes. Both DHCF and DBH intend to implement this program January 2015.
In order to move forward, DHCF submitted an amendment on June 13 to the District of Columbia State Plan for Medicaid Assistance requesting authority from CMS to create Health Homes for individuals with serious and persistent mental health conditions.
Health Homes will be able to coordinate the full spectrum of health care needs for eligible individuals who in addition to serious and persistent mental health conditions, may also have co-occurring chronic medical conditions.
Medicaid providers delivering Health Home services will be Core Services Agencies and Assertive Community Treatment agencies that will be required to meet specific standards as part of DBH’s Health Home certification process.
Health Homes using a team-based approach will help providers serve as the central point for coordinating patient-centered and population-focused care and will be responsible for integrating behavioral and primary care for eligible individuals. Providers will also collaborate with D.C Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans, primary care providers, and hospitals.
For more information email Dena Hasan, Project Manager, Department of Health Care Finance at dena.hasan@dc.gov.