OH HB251

Establishes the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee (JMOC) with 5 Senate and 5 House members to review and approve proposed changes to Medicaid coverage of community behavioral health services.

Requires the Department of Medicaid to notify JMOC of any proposed revisions to community behavioral health services coverage and prohibits implementation without JMOC approval within 3 months.

Delays inclusion of community behavioral health services in the care management system for at least 21 months and requires phased implementation in a specified order, starting with mental health services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

Prohibits Medicaid managed care organizations from establishing prior authorization requirements, limiting treatment visits, or refusing qualified providers for community behavioral health services.

Creates a temporary study group to develop recommendations on standardizing service criteria, payment models, care coordination, and specialty behavioral health plans within 9 months.