Bill > S2560

This bill allows licensed mental health and substance use disorder providers to accompany emergency medical services (EMS), which refers to the trained personnel, vehicles, and entities licensed to provide emergency medical care and transportation, to treat patients within the community. This means that instead of only being transported to a hospital, individuals experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use disorder could receive immediate evaluation and treatment in their community, potentially at designated facilities like emergency room diversion centers or community-based behavioral health centers. Starting January 1, 2027, health insurance plans, including those from nonprofit hospital and medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations, will be required to cover these community-based evaluations, treatments, and transports, reimbursing providers at rates comparable to traditional office visits or emergency department transport. Additionally, Rhode Island Medicaid and its managed care entities will also be required to provide and reimburse these services, with the executive office of health and human services setting the specific reimbursement rates. The bill also mandates that the Department of Health, in collaboration with the ambulance service coordinating advisory board, and the office of the health insurance commissioner will develop the necessary rules and regulations to implement these changes, which will take effect upon passage.

Health and Social Services

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