Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services’ (ACBHCS) ACCESS Program is the system wide point of contact for information, screening and referrals for mental health and substance use services and treatment for Alameda County residents. ACCESS is a telephone service staffed from 8:30-5:00 M-F by licensed mental health clinicians and administrative support for both general behavioral health questions and determining eligibility for a range of outpatient services. After hours calls are answered by Crisis Support Services of Alameda County.
ACCESS serves all ages. In order to qualify for Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) an individual must meet Medi-Cal’s medical necessity criteria for specialty mental health services and have an ACBHCS insurance plan. ACBHCS insurance plans/programs include Alameda County Medi-Cal, Children and Family Services (per MOU with CFS), Health Program of Alameda County (HealthPAC), CalWorks, Medically Indigent Child (MIC) and Medicare/Medi-Cal (for services not covered by Medicare).
Referrals for services made by ACCESS are based on clinical need and provider availability. Matching consumers to providers is based on various factors including client preference, geographic location, language/cultural need and provider’s clinical specialties. ACCESS arranges interpretation services as needed.
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, mental health services are now included as an essential health benefit. Beginning 1/1/14 the Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs) and Primary Care Providers (PCP) became responsible for providing mental health services to beneficiaries with mild to moderate impairments. Those Medi-Cal individuals who meet medical necessity criteria with moderate-severe impairment will receive specialty mental health services through ACBHCS.