BHRS is excited to announce the launch an innovation project – PIVOT (Program Improvements for Valued Outpatient Treatment) – for early intervention and peer-based service providers who are currently not billing Medi-Cal to build the infrastructure to bill. Medi-Cal billing helps community providers sustain and expand vital services for those who need them most and ensures alignment with statewide behavioral health reforms. PIVOT is one of a number of initiatives that BHRS is involved with, including BH CONNECT, the CalAIM Incentive Program, and Revenue Maximization, to support community-based organizations (CBOs) build Medi-Cal billing infrastructure.  

BH Connect

Expands the menu of evidence-based behavioral health services that can be billed to Medi-Cal and ties funding to client access to services and outcomes. 

PIVOT

Builds infrastructure and provides technical assistance needed to help smaller, culturally rooted CBOs bill Medi-Cal.

CalAIM Incentive Program

Incentives to contracted providers to implement evidence-based practices, increase Medi-Cal revenue, retain staff and engage client services.

Revenue Maximization

Optimizes Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) revenue opportunities for BHRS and contracted providers.  

Via PIVOT, we aim to understand each CBOs structure, strengths, limitations, and challenges as it relates to billing, and explore potential pathways and feasibility of Medi-Cal billing.  

PIVOT Phase 1 will kick off March 3 with select providers, followed by collaborative conversations to better understand the impact of billing on services and ensure services remain accessible, culturally responsive, and sustainable for the communities served. 

BHRS extends our gratitude to PIVOT Phase 1 CBOs including Heart & Soul, Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS), Puente de la Costa Sur, Peninsula Family Service, Peninsula Health Care District; Jefferson Union High School, and North East Medical Services (NEMS). 

For more information, please see PIVOT Frequently Asked Questions.

By Doris Estremera, Mental Health Services Act Manager.