RI H8134

Licensed mental health and substance use disorder providers may accompany EMS personnel to evaluate and treat patients in community settings when medically necessary, rather than requiring transport to emergency rooms

EMS may transport patients to emergency room diversion facilities and community-based behavioral health crisis facilities designated by the Department of Health, instead of only to hospital emergency departments

Health insurers must cover these community-based mental health evaluations and treatments at rates no lower than traditional office settings, and must cover alternative transport destinations at rates equal to emergency department transport, effective January 1, 2027

Rhode Island Medicaid and contracted managed care entities must also provide coverage for these services at equivalent reimbursement rates

The Department of Health and Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner are authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement and enforce these requirements