The BH-CONNECT Section 1115 demonstration approval includes a $1.9 billion incentive program for behavioral health plans (BHPs, inclusive of mental health plans and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System plans.
The Access, Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program rewards participating BHPs for demonstrating improved performance on key measures related to:
- Improved access to behavioral health services, including timely access to services, and increased utilization of community-based services and evidence-based practices (EBPs)
- Improved outcomes and quality of life among Medi-Cal members living with significant behavioral health needs
- Targeted behavioral health delivery system reforms, including showing reductions in county-specific quality improvement gaps, improved data sharing, and improved crisis services capacity
To participate in the Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program, a BHP must:
- Have completed the Targeted Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization (MBHO) Self-Directed Assessment with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), as described in BHIN 24-019.
- Have submitted a letter to DHCS stating its request to participate in the Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program by March 31, 2025, as described in BHIN 25-006.
Submission 1
Submission 1 | PDF Instructions | Status: CLOSED – Submission window ended June 30, 2025
- Submission 1 for the Access, Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program is a gap-filling plan related to the NCQA MBHO assessment participating BHPs completed in 2024.
- The intent is to help BHPs prepare for NCQA MBHO re-assessments beginning in 2026 and other Incentive Program measures.
- BHPs participating in the Access, Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program are eligible to earn an incentive payment by completing Submission 1 using the link above by June 30, 2025.
Questions regarding Submission 1 may be directed to BH-CONNECT@dhcs.ca.gov.
Submission 2
Instructions | Scoring Rubric | Status: OPEN – Must be submitted by June 30, 2026
Participating BHPs received a personalized link to complete Submission 2 from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) on April 3, 2026. For questions about accessing Submission 2, please contact ca-bha@ncqa.org.
- Submission 2 builds on Submission 1 as well as annual self-assessments on NCQA Behavioral Health Accreditation (BHA) standards. The questions are tied to BH-CONNECT Access, Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program measures 13-15 from the “Behavioral Health Delivery System Reforms” area of focus.
- Submission 2 is intended to support BHPs in strengthening activities to support improved performance on NCQA BHA re-assessments as well as other Incentive Program measures.
- BHPs participating in the Incentive Program are eligible to earn an incentive payment by completing Submission 2 using the link provided by NCQA by June 30, 2026.
Questions regarding Submission 1 may be directed to BH-CONNECT@dhcs.ca.gov.
