On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the massive $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act into law. The bill includes funding for many facets of the American economy that are still reeling from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Roughly $4 billion of these funds are going to be put toward behavioral health and mental health services. The bill includes key funding earmarked for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), youth suicide prevention, Project AWARE, behavioral health support for healthcare professionals, and a public service campaign.

American Rescue Plan Act Funding for Mental Health Includes:

• $1.5 billion for community mental health services block grants. These will be available to states through the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• $1.5 billion for substance abuse treatment and prevention block grants. These will be available to states through SAMHSA
• $420 million for expansion grants for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC). These are available to states through SAMHSA to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care and treatment for those with serious, complex mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Nonprofits, local governmental behavioral health authorities, and Tribal organizations are eligible as CCBHCs
• $20 million for education and public awareness campaigns through the CDC for healthy workplace conditions and use of services
• $80 million for mental health and substance-use disorder training for healthcare professionals, paraprofessionals, and public safety officers. The funds are through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and may go to health professions schools, academic health centers, governments, Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entities.
• $40 million for health care providers to promote mental health. These funds will be available through HRSA and available to entities providing health, health care provider associations, and federally qualified health centers.
• $30 million for community-based funding for local substance-use disorder services. Funding for mental health is available to states, territories, Tribal governments, nonprofits, and primary and behavioral health organizations through SAMHSA in consultation with the CDC.
• $50 million for community-based funding for local behavioral health needs. Funds are available through SAMHSA to state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, Tribal organizations, nonprofit community-based entities, and primary care and behavioral health organizations to address needs due to COVID-19.
• $100 million for behavioral health workforce education and training.
• $80 million for pediatric mental health care access.
• $10 million for the national child traumatic stress network.
• $30 million to fund Project Aware.
• $20 million is earmarked in the American Rescue Plan Act to fund youth suicide prevention

Opportunity for Telehealth Funding for Mental Health

The American Rescue Plan Act allocates funding for mental  and behavioral health agencies through a Telehealth Reimbursement Program conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has allocated $200 million in provider funding for mental health. They recognize the significant role telehealth has played during the pandemic and the significant costs some providers have incured to provide telehealth therapy. Eligible providers include community health centers, health departments, community mental health centers, rural health clinics, skilled nursing facilities and non-profit hospitals.

The application process opened on April 29, 2021 and closed on May 6, 2021. Applications and more information can be found on the Universal Service Administrative Co. website, which will be administering the program for the FCC. Examples of eligible devices and services include telecommunications services, information services and internet connected devices and equipment.

The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will be felt for a long time. 2020 was a difficult year for all Americans, and the American Rescue Plan Act recognizes that difficulty and helps to provide services for those who need them most. Exym EHR for mental health is proud to serve agencies who do the important work of helping vulnerable communities and individuals, and we will be here to support our customers every step of the way!

How Exym Helps Providers with Finance

Exym is a comprehensive EHR software solution designed specifically for behavioral health agencies. Trusted for 20+ years, our intuitive and customizable software empowers providers to improve client outcomes, manage revenue cycles, and increase agency efficiency. Exym allows you to spend more time on what matters most- the clients in your care.

Our behavioral health billing software helps behavioral health providers navigate funding opportunities and gather data for grant applications with ease. We even have a secure telehealth module, Exym Engage, for agencies providing telehealth therapy.

If you are interested in learning more about how Exym can help with grants, clean billing claims, audits, and faster reimbursements, visit our Finance Page. You can also visit our Behavioral Health Providers Page or our Substance Use Providers Page to learn more about specific features for agencies like yours.