The bill aims to enhance access to psychiatric collaborative care by ensuring that minimum payment rates for specific billing codes are aligned with the current Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale physician fee schedule. It introduces new subsections in various chapters of the General Laws, including chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G, mandating that individual and group health insurance policies, as well as Medicaid plans, provide reimbursement rates for psychiatric collaborative care that are equal to or greater than the Medicare rates. These provisions are set to be applicable to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill amends Chapter 177 of the acts of 2022 by specifying that reimbursement for the psychiatric collaborative care model will include certain current procedural terminology billing codes. The division of insurance is also granted the authority to establish additional billing codes and minimum payment rates through regulations or guidance. This legislative change is intended to improve the financial viability of psychiatric collaborative care services, thereby increasing access to mental health care for individuals in need.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 32A-22A, 118E-10P, 175-47QQ, 176A-8RR, 176B-4RR, 176G-4JJ