NUBE 2024

Crisis services definitions can vary widely depending on one’s location; the concept of a CSU (Crisis Stabilization Unit) can even mean completely different things depending on what part of the country one is in. Understandably, this variation has led to confusion as well as difficulty in establishing federal guidelines, regulations, and reimbursements; an attempt for nationwide standardization has been long overdue. To address this, in 2024 national experts from the worlds of emergency psychiatry and crisis care were assembled by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, DC, to serve on the Crisis Services Standards and Definitions Workgroup. This Workgroup was given the marching orders to: build upon partner research, environmental scans, claims review, and experiential data, with a focus on addressing the widespread variability in crisis service definitions. This variability is particularly notable for mobile crisis and crisis stabilization services. This Workgroup was to propose draft model standards that can be used by State, Territory, Tribal, and local partners; providers; as well as public and private payers. SAMHSA and HHS stated a belief that this clarification of crisis services standards and definitions will promote widespread alignment, further payor adoption of crisis service coverage, and increased access to quality, equitable care.

Two AAEP leaders who were included in this project, along with one of the top Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention authorities from SAMHSA, will report to the NUBE audience, with a view from a participant’s lens on the deliberations and outcomes of the national consensus -- and offer insights on how the new federal standards will affect all aspects of individuals and organizations in the crisis and emergency psychiatry spectrum for the foreseeable future.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the problems created by the lack of standardization and consistent definitions of crisis care spectrum programs across the USA.

Identify the varied levels of emergency psychiatry programs and crisis care programs.

Differentiate between Behavioral Emergency and Crisis Stabilization levels of care.