New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S2581

Introduced
2/8/24  

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

The bill also outlines the establishment of the 'Residential Behavioral Health Care Access and Improvement Fund', which would provide competitive grants to residential behavioral health service providers. The grants are aimed at supporting routine repairs and maintenance of facilities, as well as training programs to address workforce shortages in the behavioral health sector. This fund is anticipated to foster a better-prepared behavioral health workforce by encouraging the development of internship programs and improving the quality of care provided in residential settings.

Summary

Senate Bill 2581, introduced in February 2024, aims to improve the behavioral health care framework within New Jersey by establishing several key initiatives. One of the most significant provisions in the bill is the increase of the Medicaid reimbursement rate for residential behavioral health services to equal 100 percent of the payment rate applicable under Medicare Part B, effective July 1, 2024. This adjustment is designed to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries receive comparable services as those covered by Medicare, potentially increasing access and improving service quality for individuals dealing with mental health and substance addiction issues.

Contention

Another notable aspect of the bill is its revision of clinical supervision requirements for licensure. It permits applicants for clinical social work or professional counselor licensure to be supervised by either a licensed clinical social worker or a licensed professional counselor, rather than restricting supervision to individuals of the same licensing category. While supporters argue this change will enhance flexibility in training, critics express concern that it may dilute the quality of supervision and professional standards in the field. Overall, the bill reflects a concerted effort to fortify New Jersey's behavioral health infrastructure, but varying opinions among stakeholders highlight the potential challenges in its implementation.

Companion Bills

NJ A4293

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.

NJ S3918

Carry Over 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 A5666

Carry Over 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 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.

NJ A5666

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 S4068

Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare.

NJ S2504

Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare.

NJ A3937

Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain primary and mental health care services match reimbursement rates under Medicare.

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.

Similar Bills

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 A5666

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.

CT SB00133

An Act Concerning Licensing For Professional Counselors.

CA SB964

Behavioral health.

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

CO HB1045

Treatment for Substance Use Disorders