State Policy · SD
CMS Awards South Dakota $13 Million for Mobile Crisis Response and Behavioral Health Expansion
CMS awarded South Dakota $13 million to expand behavioral health services and establish a statewide 24/7 mobile crisis response service. The funding will support crisis intervention teams, workforce development, and infrastructure to improve access to behavioral health care across the state. Implementation timing was not specified in the announcement. The investment addresses South Dakota's behavioral health access gaps and aligns with federal priorities to expand crisis services as alternatives to emergency department utilization.
Why it mattersThe mobile crisis infrastructure may reduce behavioral health-related emergency department visits and hospital admissions for Medicaid enrollees, potentially lowering costs for managed care plans operating in South Dakota.