Tuesday, February 4, 2025
2/4/2025
South Carolina is excited about this federal grant opportunity to implement the Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model of care in our state. In his January 2022, State of the State Address, Governor Henry McMaster directed the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) to “initiate an immediate review of our state’s behavioral health funding and delivery system.” In addition, the South Carolina General Assembly directed SCDHHS to “undertake an effort to assess existing gaps in coverage for or the supply of inpatient psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and other inpatient or outpatient behavioral health services” in its 2022-2023 General Appropriations Bill (117.153). This focus led SCDHHS to establish a Master Plan Advisory Committee in August 2022. The purpose of this committee was to identify and address additional behavioral health needs and find opportunities to improve coordination throughout the state’s behavioral health delivery system. The IBH Model will further our agency’s ability to achieve its mission to be boldly innovative in improving the health and quality of life for South Carolinians. SCDHHS’ objectives for this opportunity include a focus on improving the quality of care for people who struggle with substance use disorders (SUD) and to support the state’s county substance use authorities and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP). Specific objectives include: • Improving health outcomes for people with SUD. • Supporting SUD and OTP facilities to provide integrated, person-centered care in their settings, working with other providers as part of an interprofessional care management team to address beneficiaries’ behavioral health and physical health needs as well as health-related social needs. Based on our objectives, we intend to demonstrate the following outcomes post-IBH implementation: - An integrated delivery model - Fewer avoidable ED and inpatient stays - Increased access - Enhanced IT systems - Improved health equity SCDHHS is requesting a total budget of $5,597,085 for implementation. SCDHHS will align the payment model flow with the IBH Model program design and the identified need to restructure reimbursement in the SUD and OTP service delivery system. The emphasis on multi-payor alignment supports this approach. SCDHHS intends to direct Medicaid alternative payment model payments through the state’s five managed care organizations (MCOs). Cooperative agreement funding will be allocated throughout the grant award period based on achievement of performance-based milestones and readiness activities. Infrastructure funding will support development and deployment of practice participant activities with prioritization of electronic health record (EHR) interoperability, care protocol development, staff training, and implementation of health IT systems necessary to support required outcome reporting.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).