AltaPointe Health Celebrates Alabama's Selection as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) State
June 6, 2024— AltaPointe Health is excited that Alabama has been chosen as one of the states to receive the designation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). This prestigious recognition will significantly enhance the delivery of comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services throughout the state.
"We are excited about the opportunities this designation brings to our community," said Tuerk Schlesinger, CEO of AltaPointe Health. "Becoming a CCBHC state means Alabama will receive increased funding and support to expand access to high-quality behavioral health care for individuals in need." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced the addition of 10 new states to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program. These states—Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont—successfully developed the necessary state-level infrastructure and collaborated with providers to create programs that meet CCBHC standards. The network of providers included in Alabama’s CCBHC are part of the 19 mental health centers in the state. WellStone, Inc., (Madison County) and AltaPointe Health (Mobile County) will be the first two clinics to be certified as a CCBHCs. These providers of behavioral health services are now further empowered through the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program to expand their reach and impact.
AltaPointe is the provider for seven Alabama counties including: Baldwin, Clay, Coosa, Mobile, Talladega, Randolph and Washington.
CCBHCs are designed to provide a wide range of mental health and substance use disorder services, including 24/7 crisis care, integrated treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and primary care screening and monitoring. This model ensures that individuals receive timely and coordinated care, addressing both their behavioral and physical health needs.
"The CCBHC model aligns perfectly with our mission to promote the wellness and recovery of those we serve," Schlesinger added. "It will enable us to enhance our services, reduce barriers to care, and ultimately improve outcomes for our patients."
People with serious mental illness (SMI) die on average 25 years earlier than the general population, according to research performed by the National Institutes of Health. This is due to higher rates of chronic physical health conditions, inadequate healthcare access, and lifestyle factors. Social determinants like poverty, isolation, and stigma also contribute, underscoring the need for integrated healthcare and comprehensive support for those with SMI. The CCBHC model aims to improve that statistic with a coordinated care effort.
CCBHCs have been proven to reduce homelessness and substance use among their clients while decreasing the need for emergency room visits and hospitalizations. By delivering comprehensive and coordinated care, CCBHCs effectively improve health outcomes and strengthen community well-being.
With this new designation, AltaPointe Health is poised to expand its reach and impact, offering more comprehensive care to the communities it serves across Alabama. This development is expected to reduce the burden on emergency services and improve the overall health and well-being of residents. AltaPointe Health looks forward to collaborating with the Alabama Department of Mental Health and federal partners to implement the CCBHC model and continue its commitment to providing exceptional behavioral health care.
For more information about AltaPointe Health and the services offered, please visit altapointe.org or contact our office at (251) 450-2211.
