As the budget process moves forward it is critical that the legislature recieve our input on legislative language that should shape the development of regional Behavioral Health Organizations. See our message to the legislature below and call/email your Senators and Assemblymembers to ensure our voice on this issue is heard!
Recommendations for Managed Care Language
The Assembly, Senate and Governor’s budget bills include a provision to create regional Behavioral Health Organizations to manage substance use disorder and mental illness benefits for those on Medicaid. ASAP supports this provision, and asks the NYS Senate and NYS Assembly to include the following recommendations in final budget language so that real progress can made on NY’s road to recovery.
In order to ensure that behavioral health organizations provide appropriate access to services, ASAP asks that the Governor, Senate and Assembly stipulate in their final budget that:
1. There be strict standards for Behavioral Health Organizations managing SUD and mental health care regarding patient admission criteria, establishment of medical necessity, and utilization review, and that these standards be developed and monitored by OASAS and OMH.
2. Care management for individuals in need of SUD services will be administered by OASAS, guided by the strict standards referenced above, utilizing science-based level of care determination and treatment protocols.
3. Behavioral Health Organizations shall provide services to participants pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided, however, that such services shall be within such provider’s or plan’s benefit package and are reimbursable under title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act. Furthermore, we ask that all the provisions in Section 364-j of the New York State Social Services Law that protect consumers and ensure access to quality care be incorporated into the behavioral health managed care bill.
4. All OASAS licensed providers need to be included on the BHO provider panels to ensure that an individual’s access to care is not limited.
Ashley Behrle
