This bill aims to enhance parity in mental health and substance use disorder coverage within Alaska's medical assistance program by aligning state regulations with federal standards. It introduces a new subsection to AS 47.07.030, mandating that the Department of Health comply with mental health and substance use disorder benefit requirements as outlined in federal laws, specifically 26 U.S.C. 9812, 29 U.S.C. 1185a, and 42 U.S.C. 300gg-26. Additionally, a new section, AS 47.07.033, is established to require the commissioner of health to evaluate consumer and provider complaints, perform compliance examinations on treatment limitations, and conduct comparative analyses of benefit designs to ensure parity between mental health/substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the submission of an annual report detailing the processes for developing medical necessity criteria, identifying treatment limitations, and analyzing compliance with parity requirements. This report is to be submitted to the legislature by March 1 each year. The bill also includes provisions for the Department of Health to amend the state Medicaid plan as necessary to comply with federal requirements and outlines a conditional effect based on the approval of these amendments by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If approved, the new provisions will take effect the day after the approval is granted.

Statutes affected:
SB0045A, AM SB 45, introduced 01/17/2025: 47.07.030, 47.07.076, 47.07.040, U.S.C