Preparing for CYBHI (Step 1 of 9): Office Hours
The Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a historic opportunity for California school districts to secure funding for student mental health services, but navigating the process is not simple.
To support districts through the complexities of CYBHI reimbursements, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Carelon have created CYBHI Office Hours, a crucial resource designed to walk districts through the many steps of participation.
These weekly office hours provide guidance on billing, reimbursement timelines, documentation requirements, compliance standards, and more. However, school district leaders have shared that keeping up with CYBHI’s evolving requirements is overwhelming. While DHCS and Carelon have done an incredible job making information available, the workload for school staff can be daunting, and missing even one detail can cause major delays in funding.
What Are CYBHI Office Hours, and Why Are They Critical?
CYBHI Office Hours are live, interactive sessions hosted by DHCS and Carelon, where districts get step-by-step guidance on the following:
- How to navigate the CYBHI reimbursement process
- Which forms and documentation are required for claims
- How to properly code services to ensure approval
- What new updates and policy changes are coming
Without attending these office hours, districts risk missing critical details, which can lead to delayed or denied reimbursements, compliance issues, and unnecessary administrative burdens.
Who Should Attend? Is It Required?
While CYBHI Office Hours aren’t mandatory, districts that participate tend to have an easier time implementing the program. Typically, the district’s CYBHI lead attends, but several teams benefit from being involved:
- Finance & Billing Teams: To manage reimbursement claims correctly
- Counselors & Mental Health Providers: To understand which services qualify for funding
- Special Education Teams: To coordinate IEP-related services
Because CYBHI requires input from multiple departments, cross-team collaboration is key. Many districts have shared that keeping everyone aligned is one of the biggest challenges.
How Often Should Districts Attend CYBHI Office Hours?
Each CYBHI Office Hours session lasts about an hour, and while attendance isn’t required, districts benefit greatly from ongoing participation. Even experienced participants find that skipping sessions can cause major gaps in knowledge.
How TadHealth Supports Clients in CYBHI Office Hours
DHCS and Carelon deserve immense credit for building this initiative from the ground up, but the reality is that schools aren’t built to manage complex reimbursement systems.
With TadHealth, you don’t have to figure this out alone. We are the first to submit a CYBHI claim, so we know a thing or two about this process. Our team ensures that CYBHI processes don’t create bottlenecks for school districts. We hold your hand through the entire process, ensuring you have all the requirements to start receiving reimbursements.
With TadHealth, districts can:
- Streamline the reimbursement process with automated tracking
- Eliminate administrative burdens with real-time compliance monitoring
- Ensure claims are submitted correctly and on time
Our partner districts attend CYBHI Office Hours with confidence, knowing that TadHealth is:
- Handling data tracking and documentation
- Staying ahead of policy updates
- Ensuring every step is covered for seamless reimbursements
The bottom line? CYBHI is a game-changing opportunity, but only if districts can successfully navigate the process.
📅 Need expert guidance? Book a consultation today: calendly.com/cybhi
