On February 23, 2022, Associate Policy Director D’Paul Nibber testified before the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB 637 – Health and Health Insurance – Behavioral Health Services – Expansion (Behavioral Health System Modernization Act). This bill requires the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide reimbursement for certain behavioral health peer recovery, measurement-based care, and crisis response services; requiring certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage and reimbursement for certain behavioral health services; etc.

From the MACo testimony: 

Behavioral health interventions have received renewed focus as a result of high profile incidents involving individuals experiencing crises related to mental health and substance use disorders. Counties have acted swiftly to ensure our shared constituents receive the supports they need: standing up hotlines, building crisis stability centers, and establishing mobile crisis intervention teams. This bill would help sustain these efforts by making them reimbursable through Maryland Medical Assistance.

More on MACo’s advocacy:

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.