To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
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AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 812, WHICH, IF APPROVED BY THE STATE, WOULD EXPAND COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES OFFERED AT QUALIFIED YOUTH DROP-IN CENTERS
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Senate Bill (SB) 812 (Allen) proposes to expand coverage for mental health and substance use services offered at qualified youth drop-in centers. These centers provide youth with confidential, stigma-free access to mental health and wellness support. However, these centers currently face significant barriers to fee-for-service reimbursement. SB 812 would allow local education agencies, public institutions of higher education, and designated youth drop-in centers to be able to directly bill health insurers allowing for a new sustainable funding source for these centers that will significantly improve access to services.
BACKGROUND
As part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), the California Department of Health Care Services launched the CYBHI Fee Schedule Program, a first of its kind effort to reduce barriers for students and families seeking outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services. This program enables local educational agencies (LEA) and public institutions of higher education (IHE) to receive reimbursement from health plans and insurers for non-specialty services provided at school or school-linked sites.
Unlike previous cost-based reimbursement models limited to Medi-Cal-covered students, the CYBHI Fee Schedule establishes standardized rates for services provided to youth who are: (1) under the age of 26; (2) enrolled in public TK-12 schools or institutions of higher education; and (3) covered by Medi-Cal managed care, Medi-Cal Fee-for-Service, commercial health plans, or disability insurers.
Currently, only LEAs and IHEs are eligible to bill through the Fee Schedule. Communit...
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