CMS Approves Massachusetts Medicaid SPA For Community-Based Mobile Crisis Services

On September 29, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a Massachusetts plan amendment (SPA) to implement community-based mobile crisis. With this approval, the state intends to implement Medicaid mobile crisis intervention teams to provide services 24/7 to eligible adults and youth experiencing a behavioral health or addiction crisis. The mobile services are intended as an alternative to a hospital emergency department visit. The approval is retroactive to January 1, 2023.

The mobile crisis services are provided by the state’s 25 community behavioral health centers (CBHCs). These centers serve as an entry point and . . .