H.B. No. 5030 is a legislative bill aimed at improving mental and behavioral health services under Medicaid in Texas. It introduces a comprehensive definition of "behavioral health services," which now includes mental health and substance use disorder services, and specifies terms such as "crisis services," "intensive outpatient services," and "partial hospitalization services." The bill mandates that psychiatric residential treatment facilities be licensed, replacing the previous voluntary certification process, and sets new licensing requirements that align with federal standards. Additionally, it expands Medicaid reimbursement to cover services like multisystemic therapy and functional family therapy for at-risk youth, and allows reimbursement for licensed marriage and family therapist associates, licensed master social workers, and licensed professional counselor associates.

The bill also amends the Human Resources Code and the Health and Safety Code to enhance the reimbursement process for counseling services under the medical assistance program, establishing a reimbursement rate of 70 percent of that for licensed psychiatrists or psychologists. It introduces a new category of facilities exempt from certain licensing requirements, specifically for psychiatric residential treatment facilities licensed under Chapter 577A of the Health and Safety Code. Furthermore, it repeals Section 577A.003 and outlines the responsibilities of the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to implement these changes, with a provision for delaying implementation if a federal waiver is needed. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, ensuring that existing licensed facilities under Chapter 42 are not required to obtain a new license until their current license expires.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 32.024, Human Resources Code 32.027, Subchapter B, Chapter , Human Resources Code 503.002, Human Resources Code 42.041 (Human Resources Code 42, Subchapter B, Chapter , Human Resources Code 503, Human Resources Code 32)