Martinez Unified School District

The State of California is partnering with districts and health plans to improve the behavioral health and well-being of children, youth, and families by investing in mental health promotion, prevention, and public awareness—and by removing barriers to accessing these supports.

Under the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) fee schedule program, California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools for covered mental health services provided to students. This means more resources for Martinez Unified School District students and families!

State law prohibits health plans and insurers from passing any of the cost of these services on to families. Health plans and insurers will pay for mental health services provided to your child in a school-linked setting, and there will be no out-of-pocket expenses (such as co-payments or deductibles) for you or your family.

To help Martinez Unified School District obtain this important funding from health plans and insurers, including the Medi-Cal program, please fill out the CYBHI consent form.

CYBHI is a five-year, more than $4 billion initiative that is transforming the way California supports children, youth and families.

Built on a foundation of equity and accessibility, the CYBHI works to reimagine a more integrated, youth-centered system that meets the needs of all young people, particularly those who face the greatest systemic barriers to wellness. The initiative’s goal is to enable California kids to find support for their mental health and substance use needs where, when and in the way they need it most.

The initiative’s efforts are created for and by young people and families. Together with partners across sectors and systems, we are meeting young people where they are – such as schools, college campuses and other learning environments – to provide access to mental health and substance use services and supports.

California public schools are offering FREE mental health services and supports to students and families. Below are some helpful resources about this initiative:

• CYBHI Fee Schedule Program Parent and Caregiver Flyer

• CYBHI Fee Schedule Program Parent and Caregiver Brochure

• CYBHI Fee Schedule Program Parent and Caregiver Flyer (Spanish)

• CYBHI Fee Schedule Program Parent and Caregiver Brochure (Spanish)

1. What is CYBHI?
The California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, officially known as the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), is a comprehensive, multi-year, $4.4 billion initiative launched in July 2021. The primary goal is to transform the way California supports the mental health and wellness of  children and youth.

2. How does CYBHI benefit students in school?
CYBHI is designed to directly benefit children and families by bringing mental health and wellness services into schools and school-related settings, making care more accessible, comprehensive, and
youth-centered.

3. Will parents or guardians know if their child is receiving school-based mental health and wellness services?
Yes. For services like individual or group counseling, you (or the legal guardian) will be asked to sign a consent form when providing your child’s insurance information. However, California state law allows minors 12 years of age or older to consent to mental health services and billing when clinically appropriate.  This allows them to access support when they need it—even if parental consent isn’t required for specific types of care. It ensures timely help is available in situations where waiting for consent could delay important services. Minor consent for outpatient mental health does not extend to more intensive services, such as inpatient psychiatric care or the prescription of certain psychiatric medications.

4. Why should parents provide private insurance or Medi-Cal information?
While CYBHI is state-funded, private insurance and Medi-Cal offsets the costs of services by allowing the school’s mental health providers to create sustainable programs that are not solely reliant on the unpredictability of grant funding.

5.  What if we do not have health insurance?
Your child may still receive no-cost mental health services at school.

6. How does CYBHI work?
Under CYBHI, California has established agreements with private insurers and a standardized Multi-Payer Fee Schedule for School-Linked mental health and wellness services to ensure that schools receive reimbursement for providing mental health services to students.

7. How do schools get reimbursed?
Schools deliver eligible behavioral health services to students aged 25 and younger. These services can include screenings, assessments, therapy, and case management. After delivering services, schools submit claims to the students' health insurance through Carelon. The CYBHI Fee Schedule sets standardized reimbursement rates for specific services, ensuring consistent payment across different healthcare plans.

8. If a student’s policy has service limits, how will this be addressed? Can the student continue to receive services?
Yes. The State of California has partnered with health plans to make sure students can get the mental health and wellness support they need at school. California health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities. State law prohibits health plans and insurers from passing school-based mental health and wellness services on to families. Families will not have any out-of- pocket expenses (i.e. co-payments, deductibles) for school-based mental health and wellness services.

9. If a student receives mental health support privately, will private insurance fund both?
Yes. If a student receives mental health support outside of school, insurance can still cover school-based services through CYBHI.

10. Will families receive a bill?
No. Families are not responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as copayments or deductibles, for services provided under this initiative. The law prohibits health plans from passing these costs onto families.

11. How can parents/guardians help?
Complete consent forms for your child to receive services. Provide insurance information to help schools get reimbursed to keep mental health and wellness programs sustainable.

12. Who is going to manage the billing process?
MUSD has partnered with a third-party provider dedicated to enhancing healthcare accessibility within educational settings.

13. How will health information be protected?
MUSD  and all partners adhere to standards such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). These laws ensure that your child's information is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.

Questions
For additional questions, please contact Patty O'Malley, Student Services Coordinator at pomalley@martinez.k12.ca.us or 925-335-5880.