The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new report, Financing Measurement-Based Care in Community Behavioral Health Settings, alongside a webinar aimed at addressing the financial barriers to implementing Measurement-Based Care (MBC) in community behavioral health settings. This initiative, led by SAMHSA’s Center for Financing Reform and Innovation (CFRI), explores MBC reimbursement options and potential solutions to increase its adoption, drawing on input from payers, policymakers, financing experts, and behavioral health providers.

MBC is a clinical approach that uses standardized, repeated measurements to track a client’s progress over time, helping to inform shared treatment planning and decision-making. This method has demonstrated improved outcomes in behavioral health care, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Despite its benefits, the adoption of MBC has been slow, with financing challenges being a key barrier to widespread implementation.

The SAMHSA report outlines various reimbursement options and potential financing strategies to support the use of MBC in community-based settings. This is particularly relevant to NATSAP members, who are committed to providing high-quality care in residential treatment centers, therapeutic schools, and other behavioral health programs. Addressing the financial barriers to MBC will be crucial for ensuring that these evidence-based practices can be sustained and expanded within the field.

NATSAP encourages members to engage with the upcoming SAMHSA webinar to further explore these financing solutions. The discussion will provide valuable insights into how policymakers and providers can collaborate to create more sustainable financial models for MBC, ultimately leading to improved care for youth and families in treatment.