This bill aims to address the behavioral health crisis in the United States, particularly in Rhode Island. It highlights the high prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders in the country and the barriers that prevent individuals from accessing treatment, such as high costs, limited providers, and long wait times. The bill emphasizes the need for increased access to behavioral health services and the importance of preventing emergency room admissions.

To address these issues, the bill proposes amendments to the Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act. It requires healthcare entities and network plans to compile and report to the office a summary of how they require contracted providers to submit claims for in-network outpatient behavioral health services. It also mandates that contracts with providers for in-network outpatient behavioral health services include a provision for a one-time average increase in rates, effective January 1, 2024, of no less than the US All Urban Consumer All Items Less Food and Energy CPI percentage increase plus five percent (5%).

Overall, this bill aims to increase access to behavioral health services, improve reimbursement rates for providers, and reduce emergency room utilization for mental health and substance use disorders.