Apple Valley Unified outlines plan to bill insurers for school‑based mental‑health care under state initiative

Patrick Sauer, the district presenter, told the board the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is designed “to get to youth through the schools” by building the district’s ability to provide billable, school‑based mental‑health services.

Sauer said the district joined a state cohort to build billing infrastructure, obtain provider numbers for clinicians and for guidance counselors who will bill for some services, and set up an electronic health record. The district signed a three‑party agreement with a care‑coordination and EHR partner (Care Solus) and the state’s third‑party processor to ensure secure claims submission. Sauer said, “we've not yet had a claim paid,” explaining the district is still completing enrollment and billing setup and is relying on grant funds to pay initial training and…