Helena, Montana – Montana has been selected as one of only ten states chosen to participate in a major federal initiative aimed at expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, marking another significant step in the state’s ongoing effort to strengthen behavioral health services.
Governor Greg Gianforte and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton announced that the Trump administration selected Montana for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program, a four-year federal program designed to improve access to care and create a more stable funding system for behavioral health services.
The program will allow certified clinics throughout Montana to provide treatment to anyone seeking help for mental health conditions or substance use disorders, regardless of age, where they live, or their ability to pay.
State leaders say the funding will reduce dependence on short-term grants and provide a more reliable foundation for long-term behavioral healthcare services.
“Securing this funding is a major support for our ongoing work to overhaul and rebuild Montana’s behavioral health system,” said Gov. Gianforte. “By establishing a sustainable, long-term payment system, we are eliminating the uncertainty of time-limited grants and empowering our local clinics to deliver care to Montanans struggling with addiction or managing mental health conditions.”
Federal Program Brings Long Term Support
Before being selected for the demonstration program, Montana spent two years preparing for the opportunity.
During that planning process, DPHHS certified four local behavioral health providers operating approximately 20 sites throughout the state. These providers will participate in a Medicaid prospective payment system designed to cover the actual costs of delivering expanded and integrated behavioral health services.
The CCBHC model requires participating clinics to meet strict national standards. Among those requirements are round-the-clock crisis response services, faster access to outpatient treatment, evidence-based care, and comprehensive services tailored to local community needs.
The program also places a strong emphasis on supporting children, youth, families, and individuals facing behavioral health challenges.
“This expansion of the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Model will give 10 more states the support they need to heal wounds by providing high-quality, coordinated, person centered care that prioritizes treatment, recovery, and crisis response,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Officials believe the new funding structure will help create a more dependable behavioral healthcare system while improving access to treatment in communities across Montana.
Part Of Broader Behavioral Health Reform
The selection builds on several years of behavioral health reforms pursued by the Gianforte administration.
Expanding behavioral healthcare access has been one of the administration’s major priorities. Governor Gianforte previously signed House Bill 872 into law, creating the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission and authorizing a $300 million investment to improve and modernize Montana’s behavioral health system.
Since the commission was created, state officials have worked to implement a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening services, improving long-term sustainability, and increasing access to care.
The implementation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics was one of the commission’s key recommendations.
“Our selection into this demonstration marks another major milestone in our work to reform and strengthen Montana’s behavioral health system,” said Dir. Brereton. “As we move into the four-year implementation phase, DPHHS will closely monitor and analyze reported data to ensure these clinics deliver measurable, high-quality outcomes for Montanans in need of behavioral health services. This data-driven model will allow us to precisely track our progress and further optimize care delivery statewide.”
As the demonstration program moves forward, DPHHS will monitor participating clinics, collect annual quality and cost reports, and work alongside national evaluation teams from CMS and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to measure the program’s effectiveness.
State officials say the move toward a cost-based reimbursement system is a critical advancement because it ties funding more directly to the actual cost of care while promoting accountability and measurable results.
With federal support now secured, Montana leaders believe the program will help create a stronger, more sustainable behavioral health system capable of serving residents for years to come while improving access to treatment, recovery services, and crisis care throughout the state.
