Bill > SB222

This bill enacts new provisions for Medicaid behavioral health services in Louisiana, aiming to reduce administrative burdens, improve access to care, and enhance workforce flexibility while maintaining quality and patient safety. Key changes include prohibiting the requirement of pre-employment reference letters for providers and staff, and limiting the need for CPR and first aid certifications to specific situations where federal or state law mandates it for certain facility types or services. The bill also clarifies that supervision of provisionally licensed staff by a Louisiana licensing board will satisfy program supervision requirements, preventing duplicative oversight. Furthermore, it aligns documentation timeliness with federal standards, allowing for reasonable exceptions and late-entry attestations, and permits physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, or medical psychologists to serve as medical directors for behavioral health providers. Finally, it directs the Louisiana Department of Health to seek federal approval to allow reimbursement for psychosocial rehabilitation services delivered via telehealth and to report on the progress of this submission to legislative committees.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26rs&b=SB222&sbi=y