Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BH-ASO)

Iowa Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) has 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 Services Organization (BH-ASO)

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.

Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA)

The Iowa PCA is recognized as a national leader in health information technology, value-based care partnerships, quality improvement, organizational change management, and systems change. As the statewide ASO, the Iowa PCA will draw upon these competencies and experiences and continue to seek input from local stakeholders to inform their approach to system redesign efforts and to ensure a smooth transition to the new model. We are prepared and excited to partner with Iowa HHS, behavioral health districts, providers and stakeholders to realize Iowa’s vision as the national leader in behavioral health service delivery.

District Advisory Councils

The Iowa Primary Care Association accepted applications for the District Advisory Councils. Each council shall consist of 10 members as defined in Iowa Code 225.A.5.

Additional information about District Advisory Council member terms and meetings will be shared as part of the applicant process. Initial District Advisory Council meetings will be held in March or April 2025. 

  • Per Iowa Code 225.A.5. the responsibilities of the District Advisory Councils include the following:

    • Identify opportunities and address challenges based on updates received from the ASO regarding the implementation of the district behavioral health plan.

    • Advise the ASO while the ASO is developing BH policies.

    • Advise the ASO on how to best provide access to BH prevention, education, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and crisis services related to mental health and addictive disorders, including but not limited to alcohol use, substance use, tobacco use, and problem gambling, throughout the district.

  • The application process is now closed. Questions can be sent to info@iowapca.org.

Behavioral Health System Redesign  

  • More information can be found on the Iowa Health and Human Services' Behavioral Health Service System website.

  • Iowa HHS will host monthly Behavioral Health Town Halls with the Iowa PCA on the last Thursday of each month at 4pm CT. 

    If you'd like to be added for all of the town halls, sign up here. 

  • Iowa HHS periodically updates a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document about the Behavioral Health System Redesign and the BH-ASO. An updated document can be found at the link below.

  • Questions for the Iowa Primary Care Association, the BH-ASO, can be sent to info@iowapca.org. 

Join Our Team

We are expanding our team to support Iowa's Behavioral Health Service System. As the statewide Behavioral Health ASO, we work to ensure all Iowans have clear, consistent pathways to care through a unified approach across Iowa’s seven behavioral health districts. Partnering with Iowa HHS, we’re shaping the future of behavioral health care in Iowa, and we need people like you to help us lead the way!

    • Network Development

    • System Navigation

    • Contracting

    • Finance

    • Human Resources

    • Communications

    • Information Technology

    • Quality & Performance

    • Technical Assistance

    • Data & Reporting

  • Be part of a team that is:

    • Positive & Collaborative

    • Driven by a Shared Mission

    • Making an Impact in Iowa

    • 401K with 6% Employer Match

    • Paid Parental Leave

    • PTO & Paid Holidays

    • Education Discounts

  • Applications for open positions can be found here.