This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to enhance Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain mental health diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Specifically, it requires that the reimbursement rates for outpatient psychiatry and psychology services provided in licensed behavioral health centers be equivalent to those for Medicare patients. The West Virginia physician/medical practitioner provider Medicaid enhancement board is tasked with examining current reimbursement rates for outpatient psychotherapy, medication management, and interventional services, and must develop a proposal for increasing these rates by July 1, 2025.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that require the board to review reimbursements related to early and periodic screening diagnosis and treatment. It emphasizes the need for equity in reimbursement across medical specialties and mandates that the board assist in communication between providers and the Department of Human Services. The bill also stipulates that the single state agency must report quarterly to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance regarding the status of the fund and any adjustments to the fee schedule.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-4B-4