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BHSB tells Baltimore committee it is pushing budget, rate increases and CCBHC expansion; flags recovery-homes bill
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Summary
BHSB told the council committee it is prioritizing adequate state funding, higher reimbursement rates, and expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to improve care quality; the agency also flagged a Baltimore delegate’s bill to require unannounced inspections at certified recovery homes.
At a hearing of the Baltimore City Public Health and Environment Committee, Adrienne of BHSB outlined three state-level priorities to improve behavioral health provider quality: adequate funding for the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), increased reimbursement rates for providers, and continued expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).
Adrienne said the administration and oversight work requires adequate staff and resources at BHA so the department and local behavioral health authorities can do more monitoring and inspections. On reimbursement she noted, “providers for the past 2 years have not received an increase in reimbursement rates,” and that low rates constrain hiring and operations. She argued higher rates could improve quality by enabling providers to recruit qualified staff.
CCBHCs and recovery-home oversight: Adrienne described CCBHCs as a model with integrated care and care coordination that is tied to payment and accountability; she said Baltimore City has three CCBHCs. She also highlighted a House bill introduced by Baltimore delegate Sandy Rosenberg that would require certified recovery homes to undergo two unannounced visits per year; BHSB is reviewing bill details and said unannounced visits can be an effective accountability tool.
What the council can do: Councilwoman Felicia Porter encouraged using council communications and provider relations to get regulatory updates and technical assistance to providers, and suggested tracking providers on performance improvement plans so council members can be aware of “hot spots” in their districts. Adrienne said BHSB supports provider convenings and technical assistance once final regulations are available.
The committee ended with Porter thanking the health department for compiling a list of city-owned buildings stocked with naloxone and adjourning. Adrienne said she would follow up with the committee on budget and metrics details.
