NC H382

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a clinical coverage policy, assign a CPT code, and create billing instructions for Medicaid coverage of behavioral health services provided in acute care hospital settings.

Establishes eligibility criteria requiring beneficiaries to no longer meet observation criteria, not be receiving inpatient behavioral health services, and have a provider determine they need psychiatric/behavioral facility admission, alternative facility care, or community-based services for safe discharge.

Covers treatment including assessment and medication management, crisis stabilization, medical monitoring, nursing services, patient safety measures, community resource information, safety plan development, and coordination with local management entities/managed care organizations.

Allows ancillary services to continue being billed separately as additional services outside this new coverage.

Requires submission of State Plan amendments to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) with implementation occurring only after CMS approval and to the extent CMS permits.