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SD 3988

MassHealth Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Intervention (BHACI) FY24 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The BHACI Trust Fund funds a statewide, payor-agnostic crisis system (BHHL and mobile/CT crisis services) to ensure crisis access for all residents, regardless of insurance.

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Bill Summary · SD 3988

Summary of Bill SD 3988 (Session 194th, Massachusetts) — MassHealth Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Intervention (BHACI) FY24 Report

Purpose and intent

  • The bill presents a statutory report from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) detailing revenue and expenditure activity related to the Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Intervention (BHACI) Trust Fund.
  • The BHACI Trust Fund supports a statewide, payor-agnostic crisis system for behavioral health, including:
    • A behavioral health access line (Behavioral Health Help Line, BHHL) for clinical assessment and triage.
    • A 24/7 statewide crisis intervention system delivering mobile and community-based services accessible to all residents, regardless of insurance status.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment and administration:
    • The BHACI Trust Fund funds a payor-agnostic crisis intervention infrastructure, including the BHHL and mobile/community crisis services.
    • MBHP (Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership) manages provider reimbursement for crisis intervention services for uninsured, Medicare, and self-insured individuals.
  • Funding and expenditures (historical and current):
    • BHCLI Trust Fund expenditures and general fund contributions are documented for FY23 and FY24:
    • General Fund expenditures for BHHL implementation/operation:
      • FY23: $17.1 million
      • FY24: $6.0 million
    • BHACI Trust Fund funding and payments:
      • FY23 Revenue (Assessments): $34.4 million
      • FY24 Revenue (Assessments): $35.8 million
      • Payments to MBHP (for crisis intervention to uninsured/Medicare): FY23: $0 (note: during this period MBHP managed reimbursement prior to DOI bulletin; later periods reflect adjustments)
      • Payments to BHHL ISA (Incentive/Support/Administration for BH HL): FY23: $1.4 million; FY24: $5.3 million
      • Subtotal BHHL-related payments: FY23: $1.4 million; FY24: $5.9 million
  • Fiscal trajectory and future planning:
    • The report anticipates increased spending in FY25 and FY26 as implementation delays are resolved and the set of community-based crisis health services covered by the BHACI Trust is expanded.
    • The expansion aims to ensure that all individuals, regardless of insurance status, can access the full continuum of crisis services provided by CBHCs (Community Behavioral Health Centers).
  • Administrative details:
    • The report is submitted to the Massachusetts Senate and House Ways and Means Committees and the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and Recovery.
    • Dated June 9, 2026, with distribution to relevant chairs and officials; the action history notes the item was placed on file on June 11, 2026.

Who is affected

  • Residents of Massachusetts seeking behavioral health crisis services, regardless of insurance status, through the BHHL and statewide crisis intervention system.
  • Uninsured, Medicare, and self-insured individuals whose crisis intervention services are reimbursed via MBHP.
  • Providers delivering crisis intervention and related behavioral health services, whose reimbursements are processed under MBHP and BHACI Trust Fund rules.
  • State agencies (EOHHS, MBHP) responsible for administering the crisis intervention system and reporting on its funding and expenditures.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill requires annual reporting on the financial activity of the BHACI Trust Fund, including revenue, expenditures, and provider reimbursement arrangements.
  • The document indicates ongoing and projected increases in spending in FY25 and FY26 as the program scales and expands service coverage.
  • Implementation and contractual updates have occurred since the program’s launch in January 2023 (Q3 FY23), with funding allocations adjusting over time (general fund and BHACI Trust Fund contributions).

Notable financial details (highlights)

  • BHACI Trust Fund revenue (assessments): FY23 $34.4M; FY24 $35.8M
  • BHACI Trust Fund payments:
    • MBHP: FY24 $0.6M (note: reflects timing and invoicing)
    • BHHL ISA: FY23 $1.4M; FY24 $5.3M
    • Subtotal BHHL-related payments: FY23 $1.4M; FY24 $5.9M
  • General Fund support for BHHL:
    • FY23: $17.1M
    • FY24: $6.0M
  • The report acknowledges the broader goal of ensuring access to the full continuum of crisis services nationwide across the Commonwealth, beyond insurance boundaries.

If you’d like, I can extract additional specifics (e.g., line-by-line expenditures, definitions of BHHL ISA, or a plain-language glossary of terms) or provide a concise one-page briefing tailored to policymakers or stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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