Access, Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program
BH-CONNECT supports a $1.9 billion incentive program to reward participating behavioral health plans (BHP) for demonstrating improvements in access to behavioral health services and outcomes among Medi-Cal members living with significant behavioral health needs.
Overall, the BH-CONNECT Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program aims to transform California's behavioral health system by incentivizing counties to implement comprehensive strategies to improve access, quality, and equity for Medi-Cal members with significant behavioral health needs.
Overview
The BH-CONNECT Access, Reform and Outcomes Incentive Program aims to reward BHPs for demonstrating improved performance on key measures related to behavioral health services access, outcomes among Medi-Cal members living with significant behavioral health needs, and targeted behavioral health delivery system reforms.
The BH-CONNECT Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program primarily measures performance based on factors like increased access to behavioral health services, improved quality of care, implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP) like Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis (CSC), reducing disparities, and achieving measurable positive health outcomes for Medi-Cal members with significant behavioral health needs. Counties can earn incentive payments by meeting specific targets related to these areas, potentially including metrics like utilization rates, patient satisfaction, and reduction in emergency department visits.
DHCS allocated a total budget of $1.9 billion for the Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program. Over the course of the program's five-years (effective January 1, 2025), participating BHPs are eligible to earn a capped amount of Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program funding each demonstration year based on improved performance on key measures aligned with the goals of BH-CONNECT.
To participate in the Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program, a BHP must:
- Have completed the Targeted Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHO) Self-Directed Assessment with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) described in BHIN 24-019; and
- Submit a letter to DHCS (via this form) stating its request to participate in the Access, Reform, and Outcomes Incentive Program.
Submission 1
Complete Submission 1 | PDF Instructions | Status: OPEN – Must be submitted by June 30, 2025
Submission 1 is a gap-filling plan related to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (MBHO) assessment BHPs completed in 2024. BHPs participating in the 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.
