CCBHCs improve access to outpatient care, crisis services, integrated treatment, and care coordination. Montana uses a set, fixed Medicaid payment (called PPS-1) to fund the full range of required services, support statewide expansion, and strengthen the behavioral health system.

The federal demonstration opportunity helps fund states in implementing and evaluating CCBHCs through enhanced Medicaid funding and quality standards. Demonstrations typically span multiple years and include evaluation phases to support long-term sustainability.

Individuals can seek care directly from any CCBHC within its catchment area. Montana’s No Wrong Door approach ensures streamlined access and 24/7 crisis response.

A catchment area is the area that a CCBHC is responsible for serving. Catchment areas were defined based on population needs, service availability, geography, and access to crisis systems. Communities may be added in future expansion phases as needed, and as the demonstration evolves.

CCBHCs provide a broad range of behavioral health services, including: 24/7 crisis response

• Outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services
• Screening, assessment, and diagnosis
• Person‑centered treatment planning
• Care coordination
• Targeted case management
• Psychiatric rehabilitation services
• Medication management
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Primary care screening and monitoring

CCBHCs are designed to serve individuals of all ages who need mental health or substance use disorder treatment, especially those experiencing crises, individuals with serious mental illness or emotional disturbance, and people with co‑occurring conditions.

To access a CCBHC, please visit the Provider Locator page.  

Montana adopted the CCBHC model to improve access to care, reduce wait times, support crisis services, and strengthen the behavioral‑health system across the state.

CCBHCs offer more consistent access to mental‑health and substance‑use services. They can help reduce barriers, improve crisis response, and create stronger connections between providers, schools, hospitals, and community organizations.

No. You can still receive care from your current provider. CCBHCs are designed to broaden access, not replace existing services.

No. CCBHCs must serve people regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Many services are covered by insurance, Medicaid, or offered on a sliding fee scale.

CCBHCs help strengthen crisis response through quicker access, better coordination with emergency services, and more support after a crisis.

CCBHCs are expanding across Montana, but availability may vary by location. The state continues to explore long‑term sustainability and future growth to have CCBHC coverage in all counties.

CCBHCs provide specialized services for veterans, service members, and their families. This includes easier access to mental‑health and substance‑use care, coordination with the VA and local veteran organizations, and support for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and substance use. CCBHCs are designed to reduce barriers veterans often face by offering same‑day access for urgent needs, trauma‑informed care, and help navigating community resources. Veterans can receive care whether or not they are connected to the VA.

CCBHCs provide comprehensive services for children, youth, and families. This can include counseling, family therapy, crisis support, care coordination, and connections to school‑based or community programs. Clinics work to ensure children get help quickly—especially during a crisis—and that families receive guidance and resources to support their child’s emotional and behavioral health. CCBHCs also emphasize early intervention, helping families address concerns before they become more serious.

No. CCBHCs work alongside existing providers. Many people continue receiving care exactly where they are now.

A CCBHC Demonstration Grant is a federally funded program administered by SAMHSA. It supports states in launching and maintaining the CCBHC model by providing enhanced federal Medicaid funding for participating providers. Demonstration periods are set by SAMHSA and run for the length of the federal program cycle. Montana will participate in the demonstration for four years beginning Oct. 1, 2026.

You can reach out to the state’s CCBHC email: ccbhc@mt.gov

No. Main Sites must offer all nine services in person. Satellite Sites and Access Points may offer a defined subset and coordinate access to the remaining services through a Main Site, another approved CCBHC location, or a Designated Collaborating Organization.

Each CCBHC must ensure reasonable access to all nine services throughout its service area.

Yes. CCBHCs may offer telehealth when clinically appropriate or to improve access—for example, when distance, transportation, disability or staffing limitations make in-person care difficult.

Availability depends on the service, your needs and how the CCBHC provides care. Some services may require in-person care. Each Main Site must offer all nine required services in person; telehealth cannot replace that requirement.

A Designated Collaborating Organization (DCO) is a provider or partner agency with a formal agreement to deliver services on behalf of a CCBHC.

The CCBHC must tell you which services the DCO will provide, how they fit into your treatment plan, and whom to contact with questions or concerns.

The CCBHC remains responsible for the quality and coordination of your care. DCOs must follow applicable CCBHC, Medicaid, privacy, confidentiality, and reporting requirements.

A CCBHC focuses on behavioral health and does not replace your primary care provider. It must provide or arrange primary care screening and monitoring, such as checks for blood pressure, diabetes risk, cholesterol and other health concerns based on your age and risk.

If screening identifies a concern, the CCBHC should refer you to a primary care provider or specialist for evaluation and treatment. Some CCBHC organizations also offer primary medical care, but it is not one of the nine required CCBHC services.

The CCBHC will coordinate care with your primary care provider by asking you upon intake whether you have a primary care provider and should help you find one if needed. With your consent, it may contact your provider, obtain relevant health records and screening results, and use that information in your treatment plan.

The CCBHC will also coordinate with your provider to ensure required physical health screenings are completed and documented. If a screening identifies a concern, it will refer you to a primary care provider or specialist for evaluation and treatment. This coordination helps avoid duplicate services and connects your behavioral and physical health care.

CCBHCs must report data on access, service use, care coordination, quality, costs, and outcomes.

Measures include:

• Timely access to evaluations, treatment, and crisis services.
• Mental health improvement, screening, and follow-up.
• Substance use treatment engagement and medication treatment for opioid use disorder.
• Follow-up after emergency care and hospitalization, and hospital readmissions.
• Physical health management.
• Changes in functioning, housing, employment and law-enforcement involvement.
• Patient, youth and family experiences with care.

CCBHCs will submit data through their electronic health records and Montana’s health information exchange, Big Sky Care Connect. The Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Division will calculate and review the measures and report required results to SAMHSA. Results will also be reviewed by age, insurance status, race and ethnicity to identify differences in access and outcomes.

Each CCBHC must use the findings in its Continuous Quality Improvement plan and address gaps in access, quality, outcomes or care coordination.