HB0205 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 03962 KTG 26020 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB0205

Introduced , by Rep. Sara Feigenholtz

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/5-5.25

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning access to psychiatric mental health services, provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse "qualified mental health professionals as defined by the Department" (rather than psychiatrists) and federally qualified health centers as defined in the federal Social Security Act for mental health services provided by "qualified mental health professionals" (rather than psychiatrists), as authorized by Illinois law, to recipients "under the age of 21" via telepsychiatry (rather than to recipients via telepsychiatry).

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 5-5.25 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-5.25)

Sec. 5-5.25. Access to psychiatric mental health services. The General Assembly finds that providing access to psychiatric mental health services in a timely manner will improve the quality of life for persons suffering from mental illness and will contain health care costs by avoiding the need for more costly inpatient hospitalization. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse qualified mental health professionals as defined by the Department psychiatrists and federally qualified health centers as defined in Section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the federal Social Security Act for mental health services provided by qualified mental health professionals psychiatrists, as authorized by Illinois law, to recipients under the age of 21 via telepsychiatry. The Department, by rule, shall establish (i) criteria for such services to be reimbursed, including appropriate facilities and equipment to be used at both sites and requirements for a physician or other licensed health care professional to be present at the site where the patient is located, and (ii) a method to reimburse providers for mental health services provided by telepsychiatry.

On and after July 1, 2012, the Department shall reduce any rate of reimbursement for services or other payments or alter any methodologies authorized by this Code to reduce any rate of reimbursement for services or other payments in accordance with Section 5-5e.

(Source: P.A. 97-689, eff. 6-14-12.)