This bill addresses various aspects of mental health care, specifically focusing on subacute mental health care facilities. It introduces new requirements for these facilities, including the necessity to develop a written treatment care plan with residents within 24 hours of admission. The bill also eliminates the previous limitation of a 10-day stay in subacute mental health care unless extended by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Additionally, it prohibits preauthorization for admissions and the first 15 days of treatment, while allowing managed care organizations (MCOs) to review treatment necessity after the 45th day of care, with restrictions on the frequency of such reviews.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that MCOs cannot discharge residents until a mental health professional confirms that appropriate support systems are in place to prevent self-harm or harm to others. It defines "health carrier" and requires them to provide coverage for subacute mental health services, with penalties for non-compliance. The legislation also calls for the establishment of a bed tracking system for psychiatric medical institutions for children and directs HHS and the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to streamline rules that may hinder the establishment and expansion of subacute mental health care facilities. The bill allows for emergency rule adoption to facilitate its implementation and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 135G.1, 135G.3