Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI)

What do families need to know about the CYBHI fee schedule program?

Eligibility for Services: This program will not change students’ eligibility to receive behavioral health services. Rather, the program will expand the availability of services by creating a new, sustainable method for providers to be reimbursed. Services delivered to students covered by Medi-Cal MCPs and Medi-Cal FFS, most commercial health plans, or disability insurers1, with certain exceptions, are eligible to be reimbursed at the CYBHI fee schedule rate.

Privacy and Consent: Our school may ask for your student’s health insurance information. All health information will be securely stored and only shared in alignment with existing federal and state laws.

Billing: There will be no cost to parents or caregivers for students who receive services eligible for reimbursement under the CYBHI fee schedule program (i.e., no co-pays). Receiving services at school will not reduce or impact students or their family's ability to obtain care outside of school.

What is the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative fee schedule (CYBHI fee schedule)?

As part of Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), the Department of Health Care Service (DHCS), the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) and the Department of Insurance (CDI) are partnering with schools to expand access to school-based and school-linked mental and behavioral health services for students aged 25 years and younger.

Through the CYBHI fee schedule, our school and affiliated providers may be eligible for the reimbursement of behavioral health services, including screening, assessments, and ongoing mental health supports given to our students.

This reimbursement will come directly from the insurance companies that cover the students at our school, at no higher cost to the parents or caregivers. This program will not affect your insurance coverage (i.e., no co-pays, no higher premiums or deductibles). Receiving services at school will not reduce or impact students or their family's ability to obtain care outside of school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility for Services:
Will the CYBHI fee schedule change the services my student receives?
This program is not intended to significantly change the way your student currently receives behavioral health services – rather, it is a way for our school to be reimbursed for the provision of behavioral health services. Examples of eligible services include behavioral health screenings, assessments, and ongoing mental health supports. The CYBHI fee schedule may not apply to students on certain insurance plans (e.g., self insured plans, high-deductible health plans).

How does this relate to students receiving special education services?
The CYBHI fee schedule program will not impact services provided to a student that are specified in their IEP/IFSP . This program may expand access for all students to receive additional behavioral health services (as appropriate) outside their IEPs/IFSPs.

Privacy and Consent
Why do I need to provide health information? How will this information be used?
Our school will need to gather students’ health insurance information so that it can receive funding for eligible services under the CYBHI fee schedule. If shared with our school, this health information will be used to verify insurance coverage and eligibility with DHCS, DMHC, CDI, and your existing insurance provider.

Can I choose which behavioral health services my student receives? What type of direction can I give as a parent or caregiver?
Parents and caregivers will have the same process for consenting for services or allowing their student’s information to be shared. Note: minors aged 12 years or older in California may be able to independently consent for certain services.

Billing
Will parents or caregivers have to pay for services provided to their student? How does the CYBHI fee schedule affect a family’s insurance?
Our school will need to gather students’ health insurance information so that it can receive funding for eligible services under the CYBHI fee schedule. If shared with our school, this health information will be used to verify insurance coverage and eligibility with DHCS, DMHC, CDI, and your existing insurance provider.

Parents or caregivers do not need to pay for behavioral health services provided to students within the context of the CYBHI fee schedule program. The program will not introduce co-payments for services provided. The CYBHI fee schedule program is designed to complement existing insurance coverage and participation in the program will not affect a family’s insurance (e.g., premiums or deductibles). Please note that some insurance plans such as high-deductible health plans and Medi-Cal share of cost plans may require additional verification for program eligibility.

Resources

Flyer from the Alameda County Office of Education (pdf)

Introduction Video (vimeo.com)
CYBHI Fee Schedule Site (dhcs.ca.gov)