Introducing new accreditation requirements for CCBHCs

The Joint Commission has approved 81 new requirements for behavioral healthcare and human services organizations that select the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) service on their electronic application (E-App). The new requirements go into effect on July 1. 

CCBHCs provide coordinated, comprehensive access to a variety of behavioral health and primary physical health services in accordance with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) criteria. CCBHCs are required to serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, place of residence, or age.

Organizations that select the CCBHC service on their application will have their compliance with these new standards assessed during the organization’s accreditation survey like other programs and services. New, however, is that the CCBHC designation will be shown on their Quality Report, and CCBHC is now a searchable service category within Quality Check^®.

These new requirements align with the current SAMHSA criteria for CCBHCs. Accredited organizations that meet Joint Commission CCBHC requirements will be better prepared to meet the national expectations for a CCBHC program and better able to validate the quality and safety of the care, treatment, and services provided by the CCBHC.

“The Joint Commission now provides state authorities and payors with a new way to confirm that CCBHCs are truly meeting all SAMHSA requirements,” said Melinda Lehman, Executive Director, Behavioral Healthcare and Human Services, The Joint Commission. “And now with Joint Commission Accreditation, there will be — for the first time — validation of the quality and safety of the programs and services being provided to the individuals these clinics serve.”

Recently, SAMHSA published updates to its CCBHC requirements. The Joint Commission will update its CCBHC requirements in return to match SAMHSA’s July 1, 2024 effective date.

View the prepublication standards. Questions may be directed to the Department of Standards and Survey Methods.