AK SCR2

Legislature supports an all-payer crisis continuum of care model to ensure all insurers—not just Medicaid—contribute to funding behavioral health crisis services including crisis call lines, mobile crisis teams, 23-hour stabilization centers, and short-term crisis residential centers

Urges the Governor to direct the Department of Health and Division of Insurance to convene public and private payers, stakeholders, and legislative leaders to develop recommendations for an all-payer crisis care model

Identifies funding gaps where current Medicaid reimbursement does not cover full operational costs, and certain services like transportation to mental health facilities and medications dispensed in crisis centers are not billable to Medicaid

Proposes potential funding mechanisms including a monthly assessment on commercial health insurers per member and a 988 telecommunications surcharge similar to the existing 911 surcharge

Recommends Medicaid State Plan updates to incorporate Section 1115 waiver services, expand coverage to 24/7 crisis services, and allow a wider range of crisis providers