New Requirements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Effective July 1st, 2023, The Joint Commission approved 81 new requirements for Joint Commission–accredited behavioral health and human services organizations who select the certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC) service on their application. CCBHCs provide coordinated, comprehensive access to a variety of behavioral health and primary physical health services to all individuals 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.
The new requirements align with the current SAMHSA criteria for CCBHCs. Accredited organizations who meet the 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 is aware that the SAMHSA criteria for CCBHCs are changing. Because of the timing of these changes, The Joint Commission will update its CCBHC requirements at a later standards release to maintain alignment.
Prepublication Standards:
Prepublication Standards - Effective July 1, 2023