CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has been selected as one of only 10 states nationwide to participate in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration Program, a federal initiative aimed at expanding access to comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services.
Acting Department of Human Services Secretary Christina Mullins said the selection marks a major step forward in strengthening the state’s behavioral health system, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“This selection represents a significant opportunity for West Virginia to strengthen and expand access to behavioral health services across the state,” Mullins said. “Participation in the CCBHC Demonstration Program will help support a more coordinated, comprehensive, and sustainable behavioral health system for West Virginians.”
The program was expanded under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 and is jointly administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
Federal officials recognized West Virginia for completing the foundational work needed to launch a statewide demonstration, including clinic certification, service delivery planning, and payment system development.
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, overseen by the state’s Bureau for Behavioral Health and Bureau for Medical Services, provide a full range of mental health and substance use disorder services regardless of a person’s ability to pay. The model emphasizes integrated care, crisis response, care coordination, and evidence‑based treatment.
Participation in the demonstration increases the federal Medicaid match rate for CCBHC services, a change officials say will help sustain and expand community‑based behavioral health care.
Over the next four years, West Virginia will work with federal partners to implement the program and broaden access to comprehensive behavioral health services statewide.
More information and a list of clinics are available at bbh.wv.gov.
