Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System

• There is no wrong door to accessing mental health and substance use services.
• No matter where you are in Iowa, you can get the help you need.
• The Administrative Service Organization (ASO), Iowa Primary Care Association, will handle tasks on the backend that make it easier for behavioral health providers to focus on giving quality care. 

Nothing will change for Iowans who have Medicaid or private insurance, services and providers will stay the same. Iowans who do not have insurance or very limited insurance will be able to get help through the Behavioral Health Service System.  All Iowans can use Your Life Iowa to get support through calls, texts, or chats. Behavioral Health System Navigators will guide people to the right care and services. 

A "safety net provider" is a healthcare provider, like a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC), community mental health center (CMHC), community health center (CHC), or public hospital, that helps people with low income or no insurance. These providers offer care even if someone can’t pay. 

• Prevention, education, and early intervention of mental health and addictive disorders, including but not limited to alcohol use, substance use, tobacco use, and problem gambling.
• Crisis services for Iowans who need help right away
• Services to support individuals' recovery
• Outpatient treatment for mental health and addictive disorders
• High-intensity treatment for serious needs
• Alternatives to hospital care
• Inpatient and residential treatment
• Help for people involved in the justice system 

System Navigation is a process that helps individuals understand and access the services they need. System Navigators help Iowans by: 

• Educating them on available services and options
• Helping schedule appointments
• Connecting to support groups and other resources
• Helping to address barriers to care and troubleshoot when access is challenging 

Anyone can use the System Navigation—there are no rules about who qualifies. 

Behavioral health districts are defined geographic areas established to support the local coordination of services. The seven districts (map) are structured to promote fair distribution of resources, balanced workloads, and consistent access to care across the state. 

• 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.
• An overview of the map development process was provided via webinar in August 2024. 

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.

• View the Iowa PCA presentation recording.
  • Passcode: s%=b*iW1
• View Iowa PCA's proposal

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.

• Behavioral Health Rules Presentation
• January 14, 2025 Recording
  • Passcode: %Xw.&5++

Watch the recording of the July 8th virtual session of the Behavioral Health Public Hearing.