SENATE FILE 233

BY  COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 152)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to entitling mental health counselors to payment for behavioral health services provided under the Medicaid program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 249A.15A, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   249A.15A  Licensed marital and family therapists and, licensed master social workers, and licensed mental health counselors.
   1.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A entitling marital and family therapists who are licensed pursuant to chapter 154D to payment for behavioral health services provided to recipients of medical assistance, subject to limitations and exclusions the department finds necessary on the basis of federal laws and regulations.
   2.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A entitling master social workers who hold a master’s degree approved by the board of social work, are licensed as a master social worker pursuant to section 154C.3, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, and provide treatment services under the supervision of an independent social worker licensed pursuant to section 154C.3, subsection 1, paragraph “c”, to payment for behavioral health services provided to recipients of medical assistance, subject to limitations and exclusions the department finds necessary on the basis of federal laws and regulations.
   3.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A entitling mental health counselors who are licensed pursuant to chapter 154D to payment for behavioral health services provided to recipients of medical assistance, subject to limitations and exclusions the department finds necessary on the basis of federal laws and regulations.
   Sec. 2.  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE STATE PLAN —— MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS.  The department of human services shall amend the medical assistance state plan to allow mental health counselors licensed in the state to be participating behavioral health providers under the medical assistance program.
EXPLANATION
   This bill directs the department of human services (DHS) to adopt rules entitling licensed mental health counselors to payment for behavioral health services provided to recipients of medical assistance, subject to limitations and exclusions the department finds necessary on the basis of federal laws and regulations. The bill also directs DHS to amend the Medicaid state plan to allow licensed mental health counselors to be participating behavioral health providers under the Medicaid program.