SB178

Senate Bill 178 amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act to require healthcare insurers to provide reimbursement for mental illness and substance use disorder treatments delivered via a 'psychiatric collaborative care model.' This model involves integrated behavioral health services provided by a primary care team, including a primary care provider, a care manager, and a psychiatric consultant. The bill outlines specific requirements for the care team, including structured care management and regular patient assessments. It prohibits insurers from imposing certain arbitrary limits on these services, such as age restrictions or specific diagnosis requirements, provided they comply with existing mental health parity laws. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Arkansas Medicaid Program to seek grants for this care model and requires quarterly progress reporting to relevant legislative committees. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2023.