Background: In the absence of sufficient and well-integrated mental health crisis care, law enforcement and emergency departments have become the default mobile crisis system. As the largest payer of behavioral health services, Medicaid can help develop response capacity for mental health and substance uses crises. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded 20 state Medicaid agencies with 12-month planning grants totaling $15 million to increase capacity to provide community-based mobile crisis intervention services for Medicaid individuals. These grants allow development of state plan amendments (SPAs), section 1115 demonstrations, or section 1915(b) or 1915(c) waivers to provide community-based mobile crisis services not usually funded by Medicaid.

Methods: A systematic review of quarterly reports and other documentation provided to CMS by states as a condition of grant participation.

Outcomes: Grant awards ranged from $381,331 to $953,336. States engaged with affected organizations and individuals, including behavioral health entities, first responders, healthcare providers, community members, tribal and rural representatives. States utilized the funding for needs assessments, technical assistance, trainings and certifications, creation or modification of billing codes and coverage policies, and submissions of SPAs or waivers. After the initial 12-month period, 16 states received a 1-year no-cost extension to continue implementing their plans.

Conclusions: State uses of planning grants highlight gaps in their capacity to provide mobile crisis services and provide lessons learned for developing a sustainable mobile crisis response system.

Disclaimer: This abstract does not represent the views of CMS.