This bill amends the Managed Care Law to establish a specific timeline for the credentialing process of mental health care providers. It mandates that health carriers must act upon and finalize the credentialing process within 30 calendar days of receiving a clean and complete application for both primary care physicians and mental health providers. The definition of a "clean and complete" application is provided, ensuring that it includes all necessary information and satisfactory explanations for any affirmative responses related to quality and clinical competence. Additionally, the timeline for specialists has been adjusted to 45 days for processing their applications.

The bill also includes a deletion of the previous requirement for specialists to be processed within 30 days, which has now been extended to 45 days. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the credentialing process for mental health providers, ensuring timely access to care for patients.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 420-J:4
As Amended by the House: 420-J:4
Version adopted by both bodies: 420-J:4
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 420-J:4