Researcher: MK Page 1 3/14/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6643
AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENTS
CONDUCTED AT SCHOOL -BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE PROVISION OF MENTAL
HEALTH WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Social Services commissioner to
provide Medicaid reimbursement, to the extent allowed under federal
law, for suicide risk assessments and other mental health evaluations
and services provided at school-based health centers or public schools.
It requires her to (1) amend the Medicaid state plan, if necessary, to
provide the reimbursements and (2) set the reimbursement level to
ensure an adequate pool of providers for these services.
The bill also eliminates the requirement that commercial health
insurance policies cover mental health wellness examinations by a
primary care provider. The bill maintains existing law’s requirement
that the policies cover the examinations when performed by a licensed
mental health professional.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage, except the provisions on Medicaid
reimbursement for suicide risk assessments are effective July 1, 2023.
INSURANCE COVERAGE F OR MENTAL HEALTH WEL LNESS
EXAMINATIONS
By law, certain individual and group health insurance policies must
cover two mental health wellness examinations a year. Under current
law, the examinations may be done by a licensed mental health
professional or primary care provider, and must be covered without
preauthorization or patient cost sharing. The bill eliminates the option
for a primary care provider to do the examinations. 2023HB-06643-R000058-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MK Page 2 3/14/23
The bill applies to individual and group health insurance policies
delivered, issued, renewed, amended, or continued in Connecticut that
cover (1) basic hospital expenses; (2) basic medical-surgical expenses; (3)
major medical expenses; or (4) hospital or medical services, including
those provided under an HMO plan.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Committee on Children
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 17 Nay 2 (03/03/2023)