Reimbursement for a Broader Array of Services in Coordinated Specialty Care for Early Psychosis

Psychiatr Serv. 2024 Mar 27:appips20230551. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.20230551. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Despite the growing evidence supporting the benefits of coordinated specialty care (CSC) for early psychosis, access to this multimodal, evidence-based program in the United States has been hindered by a lack of funding for core CSC services and activities. The recent approval of team-based reimbursement codes by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has the potential to fund substantially more CSC services for clients with insurance coverage that accepts the new team-based billing codes. This streamlined and more inclusive billing strategy may reduce administrative burden and support the financial viability of CSC programs.

Keywords: Community mental health services; Coordinated specialty care; Early psychosis; First episode psychosis; Mental health systems; Public policy.