Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule Program

The State of California partners with schools and health plans to make sure that students can get mental health and emotional wellbeing support in schools across the state. Schools already offer an array of mental health services to meet the needs of students; however, securing funding for these services can be a challenge.

Under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule program, California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools (including K-12 school districts, colleges, and universities) for covered mental health services provided to students under the age of 26. State law prohibits health plans and insurers from passing any of the cost of these services on to families. This means that the health plans and insurers will pay for mental health services provided to your child in a school-linked setting and there WILL NOT be any out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., co-payments, deductibles) for you and your family.

In order to obtain this funding from the health plans and insurers, including the Medi-Cal program, your child’s school district must submit a claim for reimbursement to the health plan or insurer. Your child’s school may ask you for your health insurance information and/or may ask you to sign a consent form so they can bill the health plan.

If your child is under 18, please sign the consent form and provide a copy of your child’s insurance card and/or the name of your child’s health insurance company, your child’s policy number, and the name of the parent or guardian that carries the health insurance coverage.

Agreeing to provide this information to your child’s school WILL NOT result in any costs for services being passed onto you or your family. These services are completely free and receiving these services in school WILL NOT affect your child’s coverage under the health plan or insurer.

Yes, the information that you provide to your child’s school, including health insurance information, is completely confidential. You and your child are entitled to privacy, confidentiality, and protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of students’ education records, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that provides the privacy and security of health information.

Your child’s health insurance information will not be shared with any outside entities, except as necessary to enable you or your child’s school district, college, or university to receive reimbursement for mental health services provided to your child and/or family, or as otherwise permitted under state and federal law (e.g., reporting to the California Department of Health Care Services).

Your child may still receive no-cost mental health services at school. However, if you decide not to provide your child’s health insurance information, your school cannot access this critical source of funding for schools.

If your child is eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, they are entitled to receive mental health services and supports pursuant to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Your decision to provide (or not provide) your child’s health insurance information WILL NOT affect your child’s eligibility for these services.

If you have additional questions about providing your child's health insurance information to your child's school, please contact the school administrator at your child’s school site or school district.

If you want to learn more about the CYBHI Fee Schedule program, please contact the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) at DHCS.SBS@dhcs.ca.gov.