Integrated Behavioral Health Care

In Minnesota, there are differences in how mental health and substance use disorder treatment systems operate and are financed. In 2019, the Minnesota Legislature adopted changes to promote an integrated continuum of mental health and substance use disorder care that helps connect people to other health care services and also supports people to transition to the community when they no longer need intensive treatment.

What’s changing?

Starting July 1, 2020, the new legislation will make the following changes:

  • Simplify and align rates and payment systems for room and board in residential treatment facilities
  • Eliminates county share of costs for 1) substance use disorder services to people receiving Medical Assistance, and 2) room and board in residential treatment facilities
  • Encourages counties to help people enroll in Medical Assistance so that people eligible for Medical Assistance and substance use disorder services have intergrated access to coverage for other health care and mental health services
  • More people receiving substance use disorder services will have health care coverage
  • Helps people with housing instability transition out of residential treatment into housing instead of homelessness.

What’s not changing?

The following is not impacted by the 2019 legislation:

  • Mental health or substance use disorder treatment services or rates
  • Room and board rates in residential substance use disorder treatment facilities.