Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System

Have a question about Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

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Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System

Have questions about Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System? Submit your questions here.

On May 15, 2024, House File 2673 was signed into law. Under this legislation, Iowa will: 

  1. Combine the work and funding for mental health and addictive disorders into a Behavioral Health Service System, guided by a statewide plan, focused on ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment, recovery, and crisis services.
  2. Transfer the management of disability services from the local Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) Regions to the Division of Aging & Disability Services. To focus on systems of support, care, and connection for all Iowans and families with disability-related needs, management activities will include identifying additional organizations to participate in the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) network and the creation of a disability services system.
  3. Strengthen important system connections to Medicaid, Public Health, and Child Protective Services by gathering meaningful feedback from Iowans to inform system planning.

Using a shared responsibility model between HHS and system stakeholders, Iowans will build a Behavioral Health Service System that: 

  • Is well-coordinated with clear access points throughout behavioral health districts,
  • Ensures that individuals and families have access to person-centered services and supports no matter where they live,
  • Reduces duplication by linking Federal, State and local governance and authority,
  • Eliminates administrative red-tape, and the same efforts happening in multiple places.
  • Links funding to measurable outcomes. 

The new Behavioral Health Service System will start July 1, 2025

 

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Behavioral Health Districts

Behavioral health districts outline geographic boundaries for local coordination.  

In June and July 2024, HHS worked with Health Management Associates (HMA) to get public feedback for proposed district boundaries. A total of four public comment sessions were held; two virtual sessions and two in-person sessions in Des Moines and Sioux City. Written feedback was also collected from respondents through an online public comment form and via email.   

A summary report was created to show the breakdown of stakeholder representation and key themes from the public engagement process. Feedback from this work helped define seven districts that ensure fair resource distribution, workload balance, and access to care. The map of the seven behavioral health districts is available here. 

An overview of the map development process was provided via webinar in August 2024. To view a recording of that overview please click here. 

 

Local Coordination 

Iowa HHS has designated the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) as the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BH-ASO) to collaboratively coordinate and oversee services in each behavioral health district.

In each district, BH-ASOs will: 

  • Ensure equitable access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, recovery, and crisis services for mental health and addiction (including alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and gambling).
  • Connect and collaborate with local leaders and systems like schools, law enforcement, and public health to meet behavioral health needs.
  • Provide information, referrals, and support to help Iowans navigate the behavioral health system. 
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Behavioral Health Service System Statewide Plan

Iowa HHS has released a draft of the Behavioral Health Service System Statewide Plan, marking a significant step forward in enhancing behavioral health care across the state. This draft plan outlines a comprehensive vision for the new Behavioral Health System, which is set to launch on July 1, 2025. It provides a clear roadmap for improving access, coordination, and quality of mental health and substance use disorder services in Iowa. 

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Information for Counties

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Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization

On December 13, 2024, Iowa HHS announced the selection of the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA) to serve in a statewide capacity as the Administrative Service Organization for the state’s redesigned Behavioral Health System. Operational go-live for this new system remains on-track for July 1, 2025. 

Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BH-ASOs) are responsible for ensuring all Iowans have clear, consistent pathways to care and the support they need within each behavioral health district. They will do this by instilling a unified operational approach for each of the seven districts. Additionally, they will meet regularly with local leaders, school officials, law enforcement, health care providers and public health professionals to discuss behavioral health needs at a local level and ensure the state’s Behavioral Health Service System is adapting and meeting those needs.

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Behavioral Health Town Halls

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Past Behavioral Health Town Hall Materials

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Behavioral Health Rules

In January 2025, the Behavioral Health division hosted informational sessions on new and changed rules for the Behavioral Health Service System. Find the materials and recordings below.

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Resources

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