New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A5666

Introduced
6/26/23  

Caption

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

Impact

Additionally, A5666 proposes to align Medicaid reimbursement rates for residential behavioral health services with those of Medicare Part B starting July 1, 2024. This ensures that the providers are compensated fairly for the services rendered, which is expected to enhance access to mental health services for Medicaid beneficiaries. To track the effectiveness of these changes, the Commissioner of Human Services will be required to submit annual reports analyzing the impact of these reimbursement adjustments on service access and quality.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5666 proposes significant initiatives to bolster behavioral health care services within New Jersey. The bill aims to improve the financial sustainability of residential behavioral health service providers by mandating an annual cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index. This adjustment is critical to ensuring that these facilities can maintain quality services amidst rising operational costs.

Conclusion

Overall, A5666 presents an ambitious plan to strengthen the framework of behavioral health care in New Jersey through funding, improved reimbursement structures, and workforce development. While there are strong advocates for these initiatives, careful consideration must be given to the potential challenges regarding oversight and the quality of education for future professionals in the field.

Contention

The bill also establishes a new grant program aimed at training behavioral health professionals to combat workforce shortages in this critical sector. Grants will support the establishment of internship programs, providing practical experiences for upcoming professionals. Notably, the bill relaxes supervision requirements for licensure in social work and counseling, allowing more flexibility in applicants' training paths. However, this provision has raised concerns among some stakeholders about the potential dilution of training standards.

Companion Bills

NJ S3918

Same As Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

Previously Filed As

NJ S2581

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

NJ A4293

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

NJ S3918

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

NJ SF5084

Medical Assistance rate adjustments for physician and professional services establishment, increasing rates for certain residential services, requiring a statewide reimbursement rate for behavioral health home services, and appropriations

NJ HF3495

Mental and behavioral health care provisions modified including service standards, adult and child mental health services grants, substance use disorder services, supportive housing, and provider certification and reimbursement; reports required; and money appropriated.

NJ HF4981

Medical Assistance rate adjustments for physician and professional services established, residential services rates increased, statewide reimbursement rate for behavioral health home services required, and money appropriated.

NJ SB176

Increasing the membership of the behavioral sciences regulatory board, decreasing the years of practice required for reciprocity licensure of certain professions, extending the license period for temporary licenses, establishing new license categories, providing additional continuing education requirements and requiring that clinical social work supervisors be approved by the board.

NJ HB4289

Establishing the behavioral health workforce education initiative at the Higher Education Policy Commission

NJ SSB1228

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility, health-related programs, reimbursement rates, family well-being and protection, state-operated specialty care, the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

NJ HF1005

Medical assistance rate adjustments established for physician professional services, residential service rates increased, and statewide reimbursement rate for behavioral health home services required.

Similar Bills

NJ S2581

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

NJ S3918

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

NJ A4293

Establishes initiatives related to behavioral health care, including increasing reimbursement rates, providing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing grant programs for facility upkeep and provider training, and relaxing clinical supervision requirements.

CA SB964

Behavioral health.

CT SB00133

An Act Concerning Licensing For Professional Counselors.

NV SB165

Establishes provisions relating to behavioral health. (BDR 54-145)

WV HB4289

Establishing the behavioral health workforce education initiative at the Higher Education Policy Commission

MN HF3495

Mental and behavioral health care provisions modified including service standards, adult and child mental health services grants, substance use disorder services, supportive housing, and provider certification and reimbursement; reports required; and money appropriated.