BILL NUMBER: S8549
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to setting minimum
reimbursement for mobile crisis intervention services
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes a minimum reimbursement rate for mobile crisis services that
adheres to current rates under the medical assistance program.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subparagraph (I) of paragraph 35 of subsection (i) of
section 3216 of the insurance law by adding a new item to provide a
minimum reimbursement for mobile crisis intervention services.
Section 2 amends Subparagraph (I) of paragraph 5 of subsection (1) of
section 3221 of the insurance law by adding a new item (vi) minimum
reimbursement for mobile crisis intervention services.
Section 3 amends Paragraph 10 of subsection (g) of section 4303 of the
insurance law by adding a new subparagraph (F) to provide minimum
reimbursement for mobile crisis intervention services.
Section 4 states the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Mobile and telephonic crisis response services are programs created by
the Office of Mental Health and local governments to respond to behav-
ioral health crises. The goals of mobile crisis intervention services
are engagement, symptom reduction, and stabilization. This system
enhances community safety, reduces emergency room visits, and reduces
the risk of future behavioral health crises. These services have become
a vital piece of around the clock access to behavioral health.
Mobile crisis services are currently covered under Medicaid. Despite the
essential services mobile crisis teams provide, many private insurance
plans do not cover these services. This legislation provides a minimum
reimbursement rate that is at least the amount established for such
services according to the medical assistance program, creating parity
between Medicaid and private insurance rates.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as
subpart A of part II of chapter 57 of the laws of 2023.

Statutes affected:
S8549: 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law, 4303 insurance law, 4303(g) insurance law