The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, operating through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is introducing a groundbreaking model designed to explore innovative approaches in addressing the behavioral, physical, and health-related social needs of individuals covered by Medicaid and Medicare. The Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model focuses on elevating the overall quality of care and outcomes for adults dealing with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders. It achieves this by establishing connections with the essential physical, behavioral, and social support systems required to effectively manage their care. Additionally, the model facilitates the advancement of health information technology (health IT) capabilities through infrastructure payments and other initiatives.

Administered by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMS Innovation Center), the IBH Model engages community-based behavioral health practices. These practices will form interprofessional care teams comprising behavioral and physical health providers, along with community-based support services. The implementation of this new model aligns with the President’s mental health strategy and addresses a specific action item outlined in the HHS Roadmap for BH Integration.

"I am proud of all the work we have done to change the way mental health is treated in this country for the better. This new behavioral health model released today will help states to advance this goal, in line with the President’s Unity Agenda priority to tackle the mental health crisis," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to explore innovative ways to help people with mental health conditions and/or substance use disorder. Put simply, mental health is health—and by expanding access to the high-quality care that people need, we are changing lives."

The IBH Model builds upon earlier Innovation Center efforts to include community-based behavioral health practices, including both mental health providers and substance use disorder providers, in value-based care. The IBH Model is based on the lessons learned from previous Innovation Center models, such as the Maternal Opioid Misuse Model, Integrated Care for Kids Model, and the Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Demonstration.

The model will launch in Fall 2024 and is anticipated to operate for eight years in up to eight states. CMS will release a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the model in Spring 2024.

Please visit the IBH Model webpage for more information: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/innovation-behavioral-health-ibh-model

For Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/ibh-model-frequently-asked-questions

For a fact sheet on the model, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/ibh-fact-sheet.pdf

View a fact sheet of the accomplishments to date on the HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/01/18/hhs-roadmap-for-behavioral-health-integration-fact-sheet-accomplishments.html

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