House Study Bill 259
HOUSE FILE
BY (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON
HUMAN RESOURCES BILL BY
CHAIRPERSON SMITH)
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act relating to criteria under the medical assistance program
2 for admission to a psychiatric medical institution for
3 children.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
5 TLSB 1568HC 83
6 jp/rj/8
PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Section 135H.3, Code 2009, is amended by adding
1 2 the following new unnumbered paragraph:
1 3 NEW UNNUMBERED PARAGRAPH. If a child is diagnosed with a
1 4 biologically based mental illness as defined in section
1 5 514C.22 and meets the medical assistance program criteria for
1 6 admission to a psychiatric medical institution for children,
1 7 the child shall be deemed to meet the acuity criteria for
1 8 inpatient benefits under a group policy, contract, or plan
1 9 providing for third=party payment or prepayment of health,
1 10 medical, and surgical coverage benefits issued by a carrier,
1 11 as defined in section 513B.2, or by an organized delivery
1 12 system authorized under 1993 Iowa Acts, chapter 158, that is
1 13 subject to section 514C.22.
1 14 EXPLANATION
1 15 This bill relates to the criteria under the medical
1 16 assistance (Medicaid) program for a child's admission to a
1 17 psychiatric medical institution for children (PMIC). The bill
1 18 amends Code section 135H.3, relating to the nature of care in
1 19 a PMIC. The amendment provides that if a child requires
1 20 treatment for a biologically based mental illness and meets
1 21 the Medicaid program criteria for PMIC admission, the child
1 22 also meets the acuity criteria for inpatient benefits under
1 23 various types of health care coverage. The term "biologically
1 24 based mental illness" means the same as defined in Code
1 25 section 514C.22, relating to health and accident insurance
1 26 coverages for such illnesses.
1 27 LSB 1568HC 83
1 28 jp/rj/8