What is a CCBHC?The behavioral health clinic model, explained
A CCBHC (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) is a federally designated clinic — that provides nine required mental health and substance use services to anyone who needs them, regardless of ability to pay. CCBHCs are paid through a cost-based Medicaid rate — the Prospective Payment System (PPS) — and must meet SAMHSA certification criteria across six program areas.
One platform, configured for your clinic in a typical 7–9 days.
Scope of services
What does a CCBHC do? The nine required services
Every CCBHC must offer all nine service types, delivered directly or through a Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO) partner.
- 01
Crisis services
24/7 mental health crisis care.
- 02
Screening & diagnosis
Assessment, diagnosis, and risk screening.
- 03
Treatment planning
Person-centered plans set with the patient.
- 04
Mental health & substance use
Outpatient mental health and substance use treatment.
- 05
Primary-care screening
Whole-person health screening and monitoring.
- 06
Targeted case management
Connecting patients to the services they need.
- 07
Psychiatric rehabilitation
Skills, recovery, and community support.
- 08
Peer & family support
Peer, counselor, and family support.
- 09
Care for veterans
Community-based care for service members.
Certification
How is a clinic certified as a CCBHC?
SAMHSA's certification criteria span six program areas a clinic must meet and maintain.
- 01
Staffing
Needs-based staffing, licensing, and training.
- 02
Availability & access
24/7 crisis access and a sliding-fee scale.
- 03
Care coordination
Across providers, hospitals, and DCO partners.
- 04
Scope of services
All nine required services.
- 05
Quality & reporting
Required quality measures and improvement.
- 06
Governance
Patient and family representation, accreditation.
Payment & reach
How are CCBHCs paid, and who do they serve?
OTPs answer to more regulators than almost any care setting. CurerTech is built for that reality.
- PaymentWhat is PPS?
Cost-based Medicaid (PPS)
CCBHCs are paid a cost-based daily or monthly Medicaid rate per qualifying encounter, set from an annual cost report — not fee-for-service.
- Access
Anyone who needs care
CCBHCs serve everyone regardless of ability to pay, diagnosis, or place of residence.
- Status
A permanent, growing model
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 made CCBHC a permanent Medicaid benefit. 500+ CCBHCs serve about 3 million people, and more states joined in 2026.
Sources: SAMHSA CCBHC Certification Criteria; CMS/Medicaid CCBHC Demonstration; National Council CCBHC Impact Report (2024); SAMHSA (2026).
Common questions
CCBHCs, answered
What does CCBHC stand for?
CCBHC stands for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic — a federally designated provider of integrated mental health and substance use care.
How many services must a CCBHC provide?
Nine required service types, including 24/7 crisis services, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, case management, and peer support — delivered directly or through a Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO).
How is a CCBHC paid?
Through the Prospective Payment System (PPS), a cost-based Medicaid rate per qualifying encounter set from the clinic's annual cost report, rather than fee-for-service.
Is the CCBHC program permanent?
Yes. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 made CCBHC a permanent optional Medicaid state-plan benefit, so it is no longer only a time-limited demonstration.
CCBHC solutions
See how CurerTech supports CCBHCs
All nine required services, PPS billing, and quality-measure reporting on one record.