HB 477 – Behavioral Health Crisis EMS Transports/Medicaid
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Josh Dobson (R – Avery), Rep. Chris Malone (R – Wake), Rep. Larry Potts (R – Davidson), Rep. Becky Carney (D – Mecklenburg)
SB 383 – Behavioral Health Crisis EMS Transports/Medicaid
Primary Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R – Forsyth), Sen. Louis Pate (R – Wayne), Sen. Ralph Hise (R – Madison)
This bill was filed jointly in the House and Senate.
This bill would establish Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance transports of Medicaid recipients in behavioral health crisis to behavioral health clinics or alternative appropriate care locations.
The goal of this bill is provide opportunities to divert individuals in behavioral health crises from hospital emergency departments to a more appropriate facility to meet their needs.
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would evaluate the financial impact, including the anticipated cost to the Medicaid program. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System would be required to report on patient experiences and outcomes.
By December 1, 2017, DHHS would be required to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the results of the evaluation.
If Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance transports of Medicaid recipients in a behavioral health crisis cannot be implemented under the authority of DHHS, then it is the intent of the General Assembly to cover the costs of implementation with approval of any submitted State Plan amendments or CMS waivers.
House:
This bill was heard in the House Health Committee on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.
This bill was found favorable and, it will move to the House Appropriations Committee.
Senate:
This bill was heard for discussion only in the Senate Health Committee on April 19, 2017.
This bill was received a favorable report in the Senate Rules and Operations Committee on April 26, 2017.
This bill passed in the Senate on April 26, 2017. This bill will now move to the House.
