LA SB222

Prohibits the Louisiana Department of Health and managed care entities from requiring pre-employment reference letters or CPR/first aid certification as conditions for Medicaid behavioral health provider enrollment, staff credentialing, or reimbursement (with exceptions for residential, inpatient, or medication administration settings)

Eliminates duplicative supervision requirements by allowing licensing board supervision of provisionally licensed behavioral health staff to satisfy Medicaid program supervision standards

Aligns documentation timeliness requirements with federal CMS guidance, requiring completion during or as soon as practicable after service delivery, with permitted exceptions for emergencies and documented health conditions

Allows physicians, psychiatrists, or physician assistants to satisfy nursing staff requirements for medication administration purposes, and permits physician assistants with 2+ years of psychiatric experience to serve as medical directors for behavioral health providers

Requires LDH to submit a state plan amendment or waiver to CMS by July 1, 2026 to authorize Medicaid reimbursement for psychosocial rehabilitation services delivered via telehealth, with mandatory reporting to legislative health committees