Medicare Proposes New Standards for Community Mental Health Centers

via the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (6.16.11): 

Medicare proposes new standards for Community Mental Health Centers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued a proposed rule that is designed to improve the quality and safety of treatment provided to more than 25,000 Medicare beneficiaries who receive care at Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) each year.

The notice of proposed rulemaking would establish conditions of participation (CoPs) for CMHCs for the first time.  The proposed rule includes health and safety standards for CMHCs that participate in the Medicare program, and are an important step in CMS’ commitment to assuring the delivery of safe, quality care to clients of CMHCs.   In particular, the proposed new conditions focus on a client-centered, outcome-oriented approach.

“This rule proposes new provisions that will protect the tens of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who receive care from a CMHC every year,” said CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick. “Memorializing the best practices of behavioral healthcare in new Medicare standards gives us the unique opportunity to be sure that safe and effective client-focused care is available to all clients in all communities”...

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