In early August, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced the awarding of over $200 million in Integrated Behavioral Health Services (IBHS) grants for over 1,200 health centers across the United States who are currently receiving H80 funding. With an average of $145,000 allocated to each health center, these funds can make a significant impact. This funding helps health centers to improve substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services.
Two requirements of health centers that receive IBHS funding:
- Add a 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) SUD and/or mental health personal within eight months of the award and…
- Increase the total number of patients receiving these services
The funding from IBHS grants can be used in a number of ways to benefit providers and patients across the nation. One of the most common uses of the funds is to hire additional personnel and staff. With the shortage of mental health care professionals, these grants help to provide financial support to hire new mental health care staff to make access to mental health and substance use disorder services easier.
These grants also provide the opportunity to implement telehealth services. Enhancing the use of telehealth to deliver SUD treatment and mental health services can be done through the establishment of contracts with specialists to provide virtual services and livestream consulting. This includes purchasing systems or contracting for virtual care services to increase patient engagement and self-management. Through virtual monitoring of symptoms, medication, adherence, 24-hour access, and synchronous and asynchronous patient visits with telehealth services, using IBHS funding to increase telehealth services produces positive results for both patient and provider.
Certintell specializes in supporting FQHCs start or scale SUD treatment and mental health services through Care Management services delivered with Telehealth. See how Certintell can empower your health center and be sure to check out our Resources page to learn more about Care Management and Telehealth.
