Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to establish a minimum payment rate for providers of outpatient behavioral health services in Minnesota. This aims to ensure that these providers receive fair compensation for their services.

Main Provisions

• The bill mandates that health plan companies must pay health care providers no less than 143 percent of the Medicare rate for outpatient behavioral health services.
• The services covered include outpatient treatment for substance use disorders and mental health issues.
• The payment rates are based on the rates published in the annual updates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Significant Changes

• This legislation represents a significant increase in the reimbursement rates for outpatient behavioral health services compared to current rates that may be lower than 143 percent of the Medicare rate.
• The bill specifies that it does not apply to services provided to enrollees of state public health care programs governed by chapters 256B or 256L.

Relevant Terms

Medicare rate, outpatient behavioral health services, substance use disorder, mental health treatment, health plan companies, reimbursement rates, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, state public health care programs.