Section 223 Demonstration Program for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
About Section 223
Section 223 creates and evaluates a two-year demonstration program for states to certify community behavioral health clinics. Certified clinics must meet specific criteria emphasizing high-quality care. In 2015, 24 states received planning grants to help them prepare for the demonstration program. Learn more about Section 223. In March 2023, 15 additional States received planning grants.
Quality Measures and Webinars
Access technical specifications and templates for collecting and reporting behavioral health quality measures. Learn more in the Behavioral Health Clinic Data Collection and Quality Reporting Webinar Series.
Clarifications to Criteria
SAMHSA and its federal partners have compiled their responses to questions from states so all project directors can benefit. Access CCBHCs: Clarification to Criteria and Guidance – 2017 (PDF | 201 KB). Note, these clarifications are based on the 2015 criteria, not the updated 2023 criteria.
Addition of CCBHCs to State Demonstration Programs
States participating in the Section 223 Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration Program are permitted as of February 21, 2023 to add new CCBHCs to their demonstration programs, subject to the following guidance (PDF | 195 KB).
Certification Guides and Resources
Several guides and resources are available to help states certify clinics and coordinate services (Note: these resources are based on the 2015 criteria, not the updated 2023 criteria):
- State's Compliance with CCBHC Criteria Checklist (PDF | 2.1 MB)
- State Discretion in the CCBHC Criteria – 2016 (PDF | 242 KB)
- Satellite Facilities Definition
- State Certification Guide
- States’ Roles and Responsibilities
- Key Terms and Definitions
- Who Can and Cannot Be a CCBHC?
- When is a Person a CCBHC Consumer and Their Services Covered by the Demonstration? – 2016 (PDF | 439 KB)
- Using Health IT
- Conducting a Needs Assessments
- Prospective Payment System (PPS) Reference Guide
Care Coordination for CCBHCs
CCBHCs are responsible for care coordination for many services across various providers and facilities. Learn more about care coordination for CCBHCs (Note: these resources are based on the 2015 criteria, not the updated 2023 criteria):
- Care Coordination Agreements and Care Transitions
- Working With a Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO)
- Working With Substance Use Disorder Treatment Providers
- Telehealth and Telemedicine Definitions and Fundamentals
- Screening and Evaluation Services for New Consumers
- Person- and Family-centered Care and Peer Supports
CCBHCs and Cultural Competence
CCBHCs must respond to the cultural, linguistic, and social needs of the people they serve (Note: these resources are based on the 2015 criteria, not the updated 2023 criteria). Learn more about:
- Cultural Competency Requirements
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Low-literacy Services
- Serving the Military and Veterans
- Cultural Competency Resources and Training
Governance and Oversight
Numerous regulations and governing bodies are involved with CCBHC operations and consumer engagement. Learn more about CCBHC governance and oversight. Find additional information on:
- Patient Privacy
- Developing a Continuity of Operations Plan
- Addressing Governing Board Requirements
- Advance Directives for Behavioral Health
(Note: these resources are based on the 2015 criteria, not the updated 2023 criteria)
Reports to Congress
This report focuses on the statutory requirements of Section 223, its implementation, the planning grant that helped states prepare, and the selection of the states to participate in demonstration programs, including activities associated with launching the demonstration programs.