Medi-Cal: behavioral health treatment: stakeholder feedback.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Enrolled
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill creates a workgroup to review and advise the California Department of Health Care Services on the implementation of behavioral health treatment (BHT) services within Medi-Cal, the state’s healthcare program for low-income individuals. The workgroup will focus on developing clinical guidelines, treatment plan requirements, and supervision standards for BHT providers, particularly those working with children with autism. It also mandates the department to release clear clinical guidance and report on BHT service utilization and alignment with federal Medicaid requirements.
Key provisions
- Requires background checks for BHT providers who don't hold a current California state license.
- Establishes a stakeholder workgroup including BHT providers, managed care plans, consumers with autism, and advocates.
- Directs the workgroup to advise on clinical guidelines, treatment plan requirements, and supervision standards for BHT services.
- Mandates the department to release clear clinical guidance for the BHT benefit by January 1, 2028.
- Requires a report to the legislature on BHT service utilization and recommendations for alignment with federal Medicaid requirements by January 1, 2029.
- Specifies considerations for the report, including medical necessity, clinical standards, and supervision requirements.
- Allows the department to implement the section through all-county letters and plan letters without further regulatory action.
- Defers the report requirement to January 1, 2033.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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1 on record
Primary sponsor
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