With the goal to better serve youth with high acuity needs, MassHealth’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) will introduce its new Family-based Intensive Treatment (FIT) program in September 2025.
FIT will provide youth (up to 20 years of age) with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and their parents/caregivers with the treatment and support necessary to keep them at home safely and connect them with ongoing outpatient and/or community-based programs. Delivered within the home or community by a clinician, paraprofessional, and Family Partner, FIT services include medically necessary intensive family therapy, robust care coordination (targeted case management), and Family Partner engagement. The program will also offer 24/7 urgent response capability for youth in need of therapeutic stabilization.
In support of FIT, Point32Health has developed Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative Family-based Intensive Treatment (FIT) Medical Necessity Guidelines and performance specifications to reflect the state’s parameters and requirements for this new program.
The Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative ensures access to treatment for Medicaid-insured children, youth, and adolescents under age 21 who have serious emotional, behavioral, and mental health care needs. Structured to provide services at home, in school, or within the community, CBHI programming is developed around the strengths and driven by the needs of each family and child. You can learn more about the CBHI on the mass.gov website.