Requires that healthcare entities and network plans, eff. 1/1/25, include provision in every contract with a provider of mental health/substance use disorders that rates paid pursuant to the contract would be subject to a rate increase at least annually.
This bill impacts state laws by amending the Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act, specifically within Chapter 27-18.8. It seeks to elevate the standards for mental health services reimbursement, which could lead to improved care access and reduced emergency room visits related to mental health and substance use disorders. Given that a notable proportion of Rhode Island adults encounter barriers to mental health treatment, this bill represents a significant push toward rectifying systemic issues within the state’s behavioral health care framework. By bolstering provider rates, the bill intends to mitigate issues such as staff shortages in mental health services and high emergency room utilization rates, ultimately promoting better health outcomes for residents.
House Bill H7716 aims to address the pressing behavioral health crisis by mandating healthcare entities and network plans to include provisions in contracts with providers for mental health and substance use disorder services. Effective January 1, 2025, this legislation requires that rates paid under these contracts be subject to an annual increase of no less than five percent above the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). This initiative is expected to enhance the financial viability of behavioral health services, thereby attracting more providers to the network and improving access to outpatient treatment for Rhode Islanders.
Despite the potential benefits, the discussion around H7716 highlights significant points of contention. Opponents may raise concerns regarding the financial implications for insurance providers and whether they can sustain these mandated increases in reimbursement rates while managing their overall costs. Additionally, there may be skepticism regarding the effectiveness of merely raising reimbursement rates as a strategy to solve broader systemic issues within behavioral health care, such as the availability of services and the waiting periods experienced by patients in crisis. Thus, while many stakeholders, including health advocates, support the intention of the bill, the details surrounding its implementation and associated costs have sparked debate within the Assembly.