AR SB178

Amends Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 99 to require health insurers providing mental illness or substance use disorder benefits to reimburse services delivered through a psychiatric collaborative care model, effective October 1, 2023.

Defines "psychiatric collaborative care model" as an evidence-based integrated behavioral health service delivery method using a primary care team (primary care provider and care manager) working with a psychiatric consultant, per federal regulations as of March 31, 2023.

Prohibits health insurers from placing benefit limitations on care manager activities, limiting federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics, imposing licensure requirements, restricting patient age, or limiting coverage by diagnosis when using the psychiatric collaborative care model.

Allows health insurers to deny reimbursement only on medical necessity grounds that comply with state law and the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Directs Arkansas Medicaid Program to apply for grants and work with nongovernmental experts on psychiatric collaborative care models, with quarterly progress reports to Senate and House Insurance and Commerce Committees beginning September 1, 2023.