California: Gov. Newsom signs package of bills addressing behavioral healthcare
Healthcare Innovation (09/25/2020) David Raths
Healthcare Innovation (09/25/2020) David Raths
Story Highlights
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed this collection of bills on September 25 intended to close gaps in behavioral health care coverage. SB 855 expands required coverage of treatment for behavioral conditions, for both mental health and substance use, creates a standard for the utilization of clinical guidelines, and establishes standards for what is “medically necessary.”
The new package of bills expands required coverage by commercial health plans and insurers, not all of which were supportive. The California Association of Health Plans believes that SB 855 “recklessly defines medical necessity in a way that will undermine the ability of providers to determine what is clinically appropriate for their patients… [it may] open the door for unlicensed providers and facilities to treat those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders, which puts vulnerable patients at risk.”
Previously, California’s state law required health plans to cover medically necessary treatment of just nine serious mental illnesses. The new law AB 1976 reforms Laura’s Law by increasing access to care for those needing outpatient behavioral health treatment while SB 855 requires health plans and insurers to cover medically necessary treatment for all mental health and substance use disorders.
California has seen other recent policy updates in substance use and mental health disorders, beyond the passage of SB 855. In January, Gov. Newsom formed the Behavioral Health Task Force, diverted Mental Health Services Act funds to accommodate substance abuse treatment (AB 2265), signed bills that support statewide behavioral health standards (SB 803), and expanded court-order outpatient treatment utilization (AB 1976).
Maine: Maine CDC to expand support for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia, advancing age-friendly efforts
News Center Maine (09/27/2020) Erin Keller
News Center Maine (09/27/2020) Erin Keller
Story Highlights
The Maine legislature passed a law (HP 036) that grants the state $200,000 to address dementia care, pursuant a federal law (Public Law 115)[PDF – 311KB]. Maine, which has the highest proportion of citizens aged over 65 of any state, will use the funds to create and expand programs to prevent dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The funding, which can be renewed until 2023, will be used by governmental actors as well as non-governmental entities.
Maine is the first of 15 eligible states to receive the award.
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