This bill amends the Fiscal Code of Pennsylvania to introduce a new article focused on the implementation of a Collaborative Care Model and a Primary Care Behavioral Health Model. The new provisions establish definitions for key terms related to these models, including "Collaborative care model" and "Primary care behavioral health model," which emphasize integrated behavioral health service delivery within primary care settings. The Department of Human Services is tasked with making grants available to primary care physicians and practices to support the initial costs of establishing these behavioral health integration services. Priority for these grants will be given to practices in rural areas or those located in counties with higher-than-average suicide or overdose death rates.

Additionally, the bill outlines the creation of technical assistance grants to support primary care practices in implementing these models. The Department will divide the Commonwealth into six regions and solicit proposals from collaborative care technical assistance centers to provide necessary support, including financial modeling, staffing, and training. The bill also includes provisions for promoting grant opportunities to primary care practices and allows for flexibility in awarding grants if no suitable applicants are found within a region. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 497 (Mar 26, 2025): P.L.343, No.176
Printer's No. 0497: P.L.343, No.176