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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2026 Behavioral Health Information Notices

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No. Issued
Subject
Date
BHIN ​26-015
Supersedes BHIN 25-013. 2026 Behavioral Health Network Adequacy Certification Requirements: Establishes and clarifies network adequacy certification submission requirements for county Behavioral​ Health Plans.​​
  • For copies of the following attachments, please send a request to NAOS@dhcs.ca.gov: 
    • Attachment A – DMC-ODS Expected Utilization (DMC-ODS_IBHP)
    • Attachment B – Time or Distance Standards
    • Attachment C.1– Alternative Access Standards Request Template (BHP)
    • Attachment C.2 – Alternative Access Standards Request Template (IBHP)
    • Attachment C.3 – Alternative Access Standards Request Template (DMC-IBHDS)
    • Attachment D.1 – Timely Access Data Tool (MHP)
    • Attachment D.2 – Timely Access Data Tool (DMC-ODS Plan)
    • Attachment D.3 – Timely Access Data Tool (DMC State Plan County)
    • Attachment D.4 – Timely Access Data Tool (IBHP)
    • Attachment D.5 – Timely Access Data Tool (DMC-IBHDS)
    • Attachment E – Certification of Network Adequacy Data
    • Attachment F.1 – Continuity-Transition of Care Report Template (BHP)
    • Attachment F.2 – Continuity-Transition of Care Report Template (IBHP)
    • Attachment G.1 – Language Line Encounter Template (BHP)
    • Attachment G.2 – Language Line Encounter Template (IBHP)
    • Attachment H – Supplemental Data Tool
    • Attachment I – Significant Change Attestation Template
    • Attachment J – Significant Change Disclosure Template​​​
​4/1/2026​
​​BHIN 26-014​

BHIN 26-014 Preliminary Allocation of Funding for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services, State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026-27. This Information Notice transmits the SFY 2026-27 Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant (SUBG) Preliminary Allocations to County Behavioral Health Directors and County Drug and Alcohol Administrators for informational and planning purposes.

  • Exhibit A – SFY 2026-27 Budget Allocation Overview of Programs, Funding and Allocation Methodologies
  • Exhibit B ​– SFY 2026-27 Statewide Allocation Summary
  • Exhibit C​ – Exchange Program Summary ​
​3/25/2026

BHIN 26-013
Outlines real time data sharing requirements for Behavioral Health Programs (BHPs), and Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) Counties. The BHIN, along with the accompanying APL 26‑004, provides clarifying and updated responsibilities for counties to support the secure and real time exchange of physical and behavioral health information with Medi-Cal partners to facilitate timely care coordination. These responsibilities include sharing admission, discharge, and event notifications with each other in real time; using the Authorization to Share Confidential Member Information (ASCMI) Form as the standardized release of information form to share sensitive information, as needed; and sharing data necessary for state and federal reporting.  

If you have any questions, please reach out to countysupport@dhcs.ca.gov ​​​

​3/16/2026
​​​​​​BHIN 26-012

This Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN)​ updates​ guidance regarding the cost allocation methodolog​​​y for Mental Health Plan Administration as described in BHIN 21-027​.
3/10​/2026

BHIN 26-011
​California Participating Subdivision Use of Opioid Settlement Funds Allocated from the California Abatement Accounts Fund. – Supersedes BHIN 24-003​3/6/2026
​BHIN 26-010​

California Participating Subdivision Use of Opioid Settlement Funds Allocated from the California Abatement Accounts Fund. – Supersedes BHIN 24-002 CA Participating Subdivision Use of OSF Allocated from the CA Abatement Accounts Fund

​3/6/2026
​​BHIN 26-009​

This Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) is notification of the immediate implementation of the LPS Facility Designation Interim Regulations. Thes​e interim regulations have been established pur​suant to SB 1238 (Eggman, Chapter 644, Statutes of 2024).​
​2/24/2026
​BHIN 26-008​​​​
​Supersedes BHIN 22-068​Interoperability Requirements for Mental Health Plans and Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery Systems. Provides information to Behavioral Health Plans on the Application Programming Interface (API) requirements outlined in CMS-9115-F and the provisions of CMS-0057-F final rule.
​2/10/2026
​BHIN 26-007​
​Reporting Requirements for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery or Treatment Facilities: Provides guidance regarding the expansion of California Health & Safety Code 11830.01 to require SUD recovery or treatment facilities to report additional information not previously required concerning the death of a resident. The new requirements are effective January 1, 2026.
​2/9/2026
​BHIN 26-006

​Admission Agreements and “Return to Use” Plans for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery or Treatment Facilities: Provides guidance regarding the expansion of California Health & Safety Code Division 10.5, Part 2, Chapter 7.5, (commencing with section 11834.01) and notify SUD facilities of updates to requirements for admission agreements and “Return to Use” plans. The new requirements are effective January 1, 2026.
​2/9/2026
​BHIN 26-005

​Provides reimbursement guidance to county Behavioral Health Plans (BHPs) regarding covered Medi-Cal services provided to a Medi-Cal member diagnosed only with a se​vere substance use disorder (SUD) as part of involuntary evaluation and treatment under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. Please submit any questions to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov.​

​2/9/2026
BHIN 26-004
​Supersedes BHIN 25-017​: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Recovery or Treatment Facilities’ Licensure and Certification Fee Increase Beginning Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027
​2/9/2026
BHIN 26-003
​Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act Quarterly Data Collection on Involuntary Treatment: Senate Bill (SB) 1184 Implementation: Notify stakeholders of SB1184 data reporting and collection requirements related to involuntary treatment under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act. 
​1/27/2026
​BHIN 26-002
​Supersedes BHIN 21-073Access Criteria to Specialty Mental Health Services Delivery Syste​m: Provides county B​ehavioral Health Plans (BHPs) with updated guidance on Access Criteria for the Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) delivery system and medical necessity. Updates guidance on DHCS-approved youth trauma screening tools for a member to access the SMHS delivery system. Please submit any questions to BHCalAIM@dhcs.ca.gov. 
  • Enclosure 1: DHCS Approved Youth Trauma Screening Tools  
​1/20/2026
BHIN 26-001

Supersedes BHIN 20-043: ​Inpatient Specialty Mental Health Services Criteria:  Provides guidance to county Behavioral Health Plans (BHPs) regarding medical necessity criteria for coverage of inpatient specialty mental health services (SMHS), including psychiatric inpatient hospital services, psychiatric inpatient hospital professional services, and psychiatric health facility services. Submit any questions to CountySupport@dhcs.ca.gov. ​

​1/20/2026




Last modified date: 4/1/2026 10:32 AM