HHS Adds 10 States to CCBHC Medicaid Program, Expanding Access to Addiction Treatment
Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia join the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program, bringing comprehensive mental health and addiction services to millions.
Ten states will soon expand access to comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment services after being selected to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on May 28, 2026.
Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia will join the demonstration program, which provides enhanced Medicaid reimbursement to clinics offering a full continuum of behavioral health care. The expansion represents a significant federal investment in addressing the nation's ongoing addiction and mental health crises.
What the Announcement Means
The CCBHC demonstration program allows states to establish specially designated clinics that provide comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services under a unique payment model. Unlike traditional fee-for-service arrangements, CCBHCs receive enhanced Medicaid reimbursement that enables them to offer services regardless of a patient's ability to pay or their specific diagnosis.
For the ten newly selected states, this means the ability to stand up or expand clinics that can serve as one-stop destinations for people seeking help with addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders. The program is particularly significant for rural and underserved areas where behavioral health services have historically been difficult to access.
Services CCBHCs Provide
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are required to offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to treat the whole person and reduce gaps in care. These include:
- 24/7 crisis services — Immediate response for mental health and substance use emergencies, including mobile crisis teams
- Screening and assessment — Comprehensive evaluation for mental health and substance use conditions
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) — FDA-approved medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders, combined with counseling
- Outpatient mental health and substance use services — Individual and group therapy, case management, and psychiatric services
- Peer support services — Recovery coaches and peer specialists who have lived experience with addiction or mental illness
- Care coordination — Integration with primary care and other medical services to address physical health needs
- Community-based services — Outreach, education, and support to connect people with care
The enhanced Medicaid payment model is designed to remove financial barriers that often prevent clinics from offering these comprehensive services. By providing prospective payments rather than reimbursing only for specific billable encounters, CCBHCs can invest in prevention, outreach, and the kind of wraparound support that research shows improves outcomes.
Why These States, Why Now
The ten states selected represent a diverse cross-section of America, from the rural expanses of Alaska and Montana to the Appalachian communities of West Virginia and the Pacific Northwest hubs of Washington State. Each brings unique challenges and opportunities to the demonstration program.
West Virginia, for instance, has been among the states hardest hit by the opioid crisis, with overdose death rates consistently ranking among the nation's highest. The state's participation in the CCBHC program could expand access to medication-assisted treatment in communities where such services have been scarce.
Montana and North Dakota, meanwhile, face the challenges of delivering behavioral health care across vast rural areas with limited infrastructure. The CCBHC model's emphasis on 24/7 crisis services and mobile response teams could prove particularly valuable in these regions.
Louisiana and Mississippi, both of which have struggled with health care access in rural and low-income communities, will have new tools to address the intersection of addiction, mental health, and chronic physical conditions that drive health disparities in the Deep South.
The expansion also includes states that have been leaders in health policy innovation. Colorado and Washington have both implemented progressive approaches to behavioral health funding and integration, and their participation may generate valuable lessons for other states considering CCBHC adoption.
The Bigger Picture: 30 States Strong
With the addition of these ten states, the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program will grow to include 30 states nationwide. The program began with eight states in 2017 and has expanded through several rounds of federal investment, including funding from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed in 2022.
The Biden administration has made behavioral health a priority, with officials frequently citing addiction and mental health as among the most pressing public health challenges facing the nation. The CCBHC expansion aligns with broader efforts to integrate mental health care into the mainstream health system and reduce the stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.
For families struggling with addiction, the expansion means more options for finding comprehensive care close to home. Rather than piecing together services from multiple providers—one for medication, another for therapy, still another for crisis support—CCBHCs aim to provide coordinated care under one roof.
What Happens Next
The newly selected states will now enter a planning and implementation phase to establish their CCBHC networks. This process typically involves:
- Identifying existing clinics that meet CCBHC certification criteria or working with providers to achieve certification
- Developing state-specific payment models that comply with federal requirements while addressing local needs
- Building the infrastructure for 24/7 crisis services, which may involve partnerships with mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization facilities
- Training staff on the CCBHC model of care, including peer support integration and care coordination
Each state will have flexibility to design its CCBHC network according to its unique geography, population needs, and existing provider landscape. Some may focus on expanding services in urban centers, while others may prioritize rural access through telehealth and mobile units.
The timeline for implementation varies by state, but most are expected to launch their CCBHC services within 12 to 18 months of selection. Once operational, the clinics will serve Medicaid beneficiaries as well as uninsured individuals, with costs for the latter covered through the enhanced Medicaid payments.
What Families Should Know
If you live in one of the ten states selected for the CCBHC expansion, here's what this announcement means for you:
Access is expanding, but not overnight. It will take time for clinics to achieve CCBHC certification and for new services to come online. In the meantime, existing resources like the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) remain available 24/7.
Comprehensive care is coming. When CCBHCs open in your state, they will offer a fuller range of services than many traditional behavioral health providers, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, crisis intervention, and care coordination with physical health providers.
Cost should not be a barrier. CCBHCs are required to serve anyone who seeks care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. If you or a loved one needs help, you will not be turned away for financial reasons.
Quality standards are high. To achieve CCBHC certification, clinics must meet rigorous federal standards for staffing, service availability, and coordination of care. This means families can expect evidence-based treatment delivered by qualified professionals.
Looking Ahead
The CCBHC expansion represents a bet that transforming how we pay for behavioral health care can transform the care itself. By moving away from a system that rewards volume of visits toward one that supports comprehensive, continuous care, the demonstration program aims to prove that addiction and mental health services can be delivered more effectively—and more humanely.
For the ten states joining the program, the work of building that system begins now. For families waiting for help, the promise is that comprehensive care will soon be closer than ever before.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, help is available. Call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential, 24/7 support and referrals to local treatment options.
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