The VACBP provides industry leadership to advocate for public policies that reward efficient and effective community-based behavioral health services. As we seek to improve Virginia's behavioral health delivery system, our priorities include:
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Develop a continuum of care that enables access to the most appropriate level of service in a timely manner in a setting that best meets the patient’s needs.
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Implement strategies to address the critical shortage of qualified behavioral health workers in Virginia.
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Ensure reimbursement rates more appropriately reflect the true cost to deliver care.
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Support and encourage data- and outcome-informed treatment.
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Support greater certainty and stability in the behavioral health delivery system.
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Increase the integration of medical and behavioral health, leveraging both the public- and private-sector providers.
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Better leverage the experience, expertise and availability of private-sector behavioral health providers.
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Improve accountability throughout the behavioral health delivery system, to include providers, payors, regulators and administrators.
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Protect and enhance consumer choice in behavioral health treatment.
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Increase coordination within and among agencies related to behavioral health service delivery and social service programs.
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Advocacy Updates
Dated: 11.9.2021 | Rate Sheet for 12.5% Increase Now Available
With reimbursement rates for community-based behavioral health services that, by and large, haven't increased in more than 20 years, the VACBP is grateful for the action taken by the General Assembly to approve a 12.5% rate increase, effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The rate sheet for those services for which this increase applies has now been posted and is available at: https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-providers/behavioral-health/
Providers are directed to ensure they are billing rates that include the 12.5% increase.
The message sent by DMAS is below:
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) values the important work of home and community-based care providers, including providers of services for physical and behavioral health needs. We understand the challenges they have faced over the past year as they continue to ensure our members have access to critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget passed during the August 2021 special session includes a 12.5% increase for community based service providers starting July 1, 2021. On October 6, 2021, DMAS issued a Medicaid memo with additional information about this initiative. Please review this memo to learn more about the specific services covered by the rate increase and the timeframe when the new rate will be effective. A Provider FAQ on the rate increase is also available.
Dated: 11.4.2021 | VACBP Executive Director Presents to Virginia Crime Commission
The VACBP was grateful for the opportunity to share its priorities for the coming year at the recent meeting of the Virginia Crime Commission. The Crime Commission is a criminal justice agency established by the Virginia General Assembly that was created to study, report and make recommendations on all areas of public safety and protection. This includes considering the causes of crime and recommending ways to reduce and prevent it, explore and recommend methods of rehabilitation for convicted criminals, and study other matters such as the apprehension, trial and punishment of criminal offenders. Executive Director Mindy Carlin's presentation to the Commission outlined the impact of those who aren't able to received needed behavioral health supports, including interaction with the criminal justice system. To access the slides shared, please click here.
With reimbursement rates for community-based behavioral health services that, by and large, haven't increased in more than 20 years, the VACBP is grateful for the action taken by the General Assembly to approve a 12.5% rate increase, effective July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The rate sheet for those services for which this increase applies has now been posted and is available at: https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-providers/behavioral-health/
Providers are directed to ensure they are billing rates that include the 12.5% increase.
The message sent by DMAS is below:
The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) values the important work of home and community-based care providers, including providers of services for physical and behavioral health needs. We understand the challenges they have faced over the past year as they continue to ensure our members have access to critical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget passed during the August 2021 special session includes a 12.5% increase for community based service providers starting July 1, 2021. On October 6, 2021, DMAS issued a Medicaid memo with additional information about this initiative. Please review this memo to learn more about the specific services covered by the rate increase and the timeframe when the new rate will be effective. A Provider FAQ on the rate increase is also available.
Dated: 11.4.2021 | VACBP Executive Director Presents to Virginia Crime Commission
The VACBP was grateful for the opportunity to share its priorities for the coming year at the recent meeting of the Virginia Crime Commission. The Crime Commission is a criminal justice agency established by the Virginia General Assembly that was created to study, report and make recommendations on all areas of public safety and protection. This includes considering the causes of crime and recommending ways to reduce and prevent it, explore and recommend methods of rehabilitation for convicted criminals, and study other matters such as the apprehension, trial and punishment of criminal offenders. Executive Director Mindy Carlin's presentation to the Commission outlined the impact of those who aren't able to received needed behavioral health supports, including interaction with the criminal justice system. To access the slides shared, please click here.
Dated: 11.3.2021 | VACBP Fall Conference Features Panel Discussion of 2022 Legislative Session Priorities
During the VACBP's Fall Conference, leaders of the Virginia Network of Private Providers (VNPP), Virginia Coalition of Provide Provider Associations (VCOPPA), Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA), Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP) and Voices for Virginia's Children joined with the VACBP to outlines priorities for the coming 2022 legislative session. Among the top priorities shared and discussed were:
To access the slides shared by the VACBP outlining its 2022 priorities, click here.
During the VACBP's Fall Conference, leaders of the Virginia Network of Private Providers (VNPP), Virginia Coalition of Provide Provider Associations (VCOPPA), Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA), Virginia Association of Health Plans (VAHP) and Voices for Virginia's Children joined with the VACBP to outlines priorities for the coming 2022 legislative session. Among the top priorities shared and discussed were:
- Continuation of the 12.5% rate increase in the budget for the coming fiscal years
- Investment in Virginia's community-based behavioral health services and rates, including to help providers manage the upcoming minimum wage increases
- Short-term solutions to bridge the gap between the current services and when Project BRAVO can be fully developed and implemented
- More fully leveraging the expertise of private- and public-sector providers
- Improving how providers and the Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) work together
- Requesting a JLARC study of DBHDS licensing
- Policy changes related to barrier crimes
- Virginia's reinsurance program
- Increasing the rates for dental care for Medicaid members
- Workforce development
To access the slides shared by the VACBP outlining its 2022 priorities, click here.
Advocacy Member Benefits
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VACBP Behavioral Health Improvement PACIn order to advance the VACBP's policy priorities, we need members of the General Assembly who understand and care about the issues that impact our industry. The VACBP Behavioral Health Improvement PAC provides an opportunity for providers to collectively provide financial support to those elected officials and candidates who are aligned with the VACBP’s policy priorities. Click below to learn more about our PAC and how you can get involved.
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Advocacy ACTION Alerts
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Overhaul of licensing regulations coming
DBHDS is currently working to overhaul the regulations that dictate how a provider operates, from governance, organizational structure, finances, employee records, orientation and training requirements, office hours, emergency preparedness, ownership succession, complaints and grievances, and much more. The VACBP is working hard to ensure the interests of providers are considered as the regulations are changed. Join our Advocacy Initiative to receive regular updates and to share your thoughts and concerns about the proposed changes. Overhaul of licensing regulations coming
DBHDS is currently working to overhaul the regulations that dictate how a provider operates, from governance, organizational structure, finances, employee records, orientation and training requirements, office hours, emergency preparedness, ownership succession, complaints and grievances, and much more. The VACBP is working hard to ensure the interests of providers are considered as the regulations are changed. Join our Advocacy Initiative to receive regular updates and to share your thoughts and concerns about the proposed changes. |
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Concerns with proposed guidance on requirements for 90 days of operating expenses shared (September 2019)
The VACBP’s primary concerns on the proposed interpretation of this requirement included how “projected revenue” is interpreted and the unreasonable requirement that cash/line-of-credit reserve be sequestered. To read the VACBP’s comments on this issue, click here. |
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Recommendations for DMAS rate study highlight need for investment in early intervention, higher rates and maintenance services (August 2019)
VACBP recommendations included a focus on increasing investment in early intervention and prevention services, development of rates that reflect the true cost to provide services, elimination of “rural” rates, development of a uniform assess rate across all community-based services and development of lower cost/lower intensity services that may be beneficial on a “maintenance” basis, leading to better health outcomes for certain patients and decreased overall costs that may otherwise come without some minimal level of support. To read the VACBP’s comments on this issue, click here. |