Directed Payment Program for Behavioral Health Services (DPP BHS)

The Directed Payment Program for Behavioral Health Services is one of four directed payment programs (DPPs) HHSC submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval as part of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Transition Plan. CMS approved DPP BHS on Nov. 15, 2021.

Background

DPP BHS is a DPP for community mental health centers (CMHCs) to promote and improve access to behavioral health services, care coordination, and successful care transitions for individuals enrolled in the STAR, STAR+PLUS, and STAR Kids Medicaid managed care programs. It also incentivizes continuation of care for these individuals using the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model of care.

HHSC has included dates after each file below to indicate when they were last updated.

SFY 2025 (Y4) Measures and Requirements

SFY 2025 Requirements (PDF) (2/6/2024)
SFY 2025 Measure Specifications (Excel) (9/24/2024)
Getting Ready for Quality Reporting (PDF) (7/30/2024)
Stakeholder Feedback for SFY 2025 (PDF) (2/6/2024)

Proposed SFY 2026 (Y5) Measures and Requirements

HHSC will conduct an online public hearing on Dec. 18, 2024, at 11 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) to review and receive public comment on proposed quality metrics and requirements for SFY 2026 of DPP BHS. Additional information on the hearing is available on the HHS Meetings and Events Page.

This hearing will be conducted online only and will not have a physical location. Please register for this hearing at this link.

Briefing Packet

Proposed SFY 2026 Requirements (PDF) (12/10/2024)
Proposed SFY 2026 Measure Specifications (Excel) (12/10/2024)

Written Public Comments

Submit written public comments regarding the proposed quality metrics and requirements until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2025.

Rules

DPP BHS rules §353.1320 and §353.1322

Contact Information

For information on enrollment, eligibility, payment information and preprints for DPP BHS, visit the HHSC Provider Finance Department.
For program eligibility and financial questions, email PFD DPP BHS.
For questions on DPP BHS quality requirements and reporting, email HHSC DPP Quality.
To add, change or remove a contact from the DPP BHS contact list, submit a contact change form.

Reporting Portal Access

If you are participating in the DPP BHS program, you will use the reporting portal to access templates, review technical guidance, and submit your quality reporting. Refer to the Reporting Portal User Guide (PDF) for instructions on creating an IAMOnline account, requesting access to the DPP reporting portal, FAQs and additional resources.

History