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Board approves modest rate increase and new provider types for county behavioral health services
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved two resolutions updating Marin County Behavioral Health Plan service rates with a 3.09% increase tied to the CMS Home Health Market Basket Index and added new provider types including community health workers and substance use counselors.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved two resolutions updating the county's schedule of charges for county-operated mental health and substance use services, including a modest 3.09% rate increase and recognition of new eligible provider types.
Todd Shermer, director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, told the board the rate update is an annual requirement and that the new rates align with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Home Health Agency Market Basket Index and the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) payment reforms. Shermer said the rates are charged to Medi-Cal and, in some cases, to private insurers, but that most clients will not pay the full rate because the county uses a state-established sliding fee schedule that takes income and family size into account.
Shermer highlighted three new provider types included in the update: community health workers (a new benefit for both mental health and substance use services); on the mental health side, a "substance use counselor" is now an eligible provider type; and on the substance use side, an "other qualified provider" category was added to recognize nonclinical but qualified providers such as mental health rehabilitation specialists. The change is intended to broaden the workforce that can deliver services covered by the Marin County Behavioral Health Plan.
Supervisors asked clarifying questions about the "other provider" category and county staff explained it covers qualified non-licensed providers who perform eligible services. Shermer also reiterated that the county maintains a sliding-scale fee approach that limits out-of-pocket costs for low-income clients.
The board approved the resolutions by motion and voice vote. Staff said the updated fees take effect for the fiscal year and will be communicated to affected providers. Shermer also noted that the county will continue to monitor CalAIM and Medi-Cal payment policy changes.
Provenance: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services director presented the updated schedule of charges and the board adopted the resolutions in an on-the-record vote.
