Section 9813 State Option to Provide Qualifying Community-Based Mobile Crisis Intervention
Services
READ – CMS Bulletin – SUBJECT: Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic HealthProgram (BHP) Related Provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (June 3, 2021)
This provision adds a new section 1947 to the Social Security Act and provides states the option to provide for certain “qualifying community-based mobile crisis intervention services” to be covered under the Medicaid state plan or a waiver of such plan during a 5-year period beginning on April 1, 2022. States will also be eligible for a federal matching rate of 85 percent for qualifying community-based mobile crisis intervention services during each of the first 12 fiscal quarters occurring during the period of April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2027 in which a state meets the requirements in the statute. This provision also provides funding for the Secretary to issue planning grants to states to develop state plan amendments or waiver requests to provide such qualifying community-based mobile crisis intervention services.
“Qualifying community-based mobile crisis intervention services” are defined as items and services for which medical assistance is available under the state plan or a waiver of such plan that are:
• Furnished to an individual otherwise eligible for medical assistance under the state plan (or waiver) who is outside of a hospital or other facility setting and experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis; and
• Furnished by a multidisciplinary mobile crisis team (as defined by this provision); and
• As appropriate, screening and assessment, stabilization and de-escalation, coordination with and referrals to, health, social and other services and supports as needed, and health services as needed.
In order to receive the 85 percent federal match rate for these services, a state must demonstrate to the Secretary’s satisfaction that it will be able to support the provision of qualifying community-based mobile crisis intervention services that meet the statutory definition. The state must also provide assurances that any additional federal funds received by the state for such services that are attributable to the increased FMAP for such services will be used to supplement and not supplant the level of state funds expended for such services for the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal quarter occurring during the 5-year period described above.
CMS intends to release more guidance on the Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request option and the planning grants on a rolling basis over the coming months.