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Senate panel backs SB 812 to let designated youth drop‑in centers bill CYBHI fee schedule directly
Summary
SB 812 would let youth drop‑in centers that are designated by or contractually embedded in schools or colleges bill the CYBHI fee schedule directly to insurers, creating a clearer, potentially sustainable funding path for off‑campus services that serve vulnerable young people.
Sen. (author) presented SB 812 to allow youth drop‑in centers designated by or embedded in local schools or colleges to bill health insurers under the CYBHI fee schedule. The sponsor framed the bill as a practical fix to a funding problem that forces drop‑in centers to use cumbersome contracting arrangements or rely on one‑off grants; she said centers frequently serve disconnected, homeless, or otherwise vulnerable youth who may prefer off‑campus, confidential settings.
Allcove‑style drop‑in centers and Beach Cities Health District representatives described local experience: Allie Stewart (Beach Cities Health District) said the Alcove center has provided over 11,000 visits since November 2022 and serves ages 12–25 with mental and physical health services, substance‑use prevention and peer supports. A youth advisory member, Kylie Sharfen Horvath, testified about stigma and privacy concerns that can deter in‑school access and said off‑campus centers offer autonomy and community for young people in crisis.
The bill is narrowly written to work with the existing CYBHI fee schedule; sponsor and supporters said the goal is not to expand fee‑schedule services broadly but to clarify that youth drop‑in centers designated by or contractually embedded with schools may bill directly when the school has adopted the fee schedule. The author accepted committee amendments intended to limit the change to centers operating under a contract or referral from a specific school that participates in the fee schedule, to preserve continuity of care and to avoid payment fragmentation the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and health plans flagged as concerns.
The California Association of Health Plans and other insurer representatives said they issued letters of concern and asked for clarifying language to ensure coordination of care and prevent fragmentation. Chair and members discussed known implementation problems with the CYBHI fee schedule (low early claim volume and payment delays) and said SB 812 should not expand the program until current operational issues are addressed. The author and supporters said they will work with DHCS, school districts and health plans to address the administration of the fee schedule and avoid disruptions; the author accepted committee amendments and asked for continued technical work.
Ending: The committee accepted technical amendments and the author said she would continue discussions with DHCS and stakeholders to reduce enrollment and payment friction for the fee schedule. The bill was moved from the committee with amendments for further consideration.
