Alaska Legislation

HB 29 amends Alaska  Statutes 21.42.422 to require that any health care insurer that offers, issues for delivery, or renews  aa group or individual health care insurance plan shall provide coverage for mental health benefits provided through telehealth and may not require that prior in-person contact occur between a health care  provider and a patient before payment is made for covered services

Section 1 of S.B.169 amends Alaska Statutes 47.07.030 to allow for the requirement that behavioral health clinic services be provided under Medicaid be done by or under the direct supervision of a qualified physician either in person or by a communication device. Additionally, S.B.169 defines “direct supervision” for purposes of such services.

Section 7 of S.B.105 amends Alaska Statutes 47.07.030 to allow marital and family therapists to be eligible for optional Medicaid coverage. Additionally, section 9 of S.B.105 amends the uncodified law of the State of Alaska by adding a new section to require the Department of Health and Social Services prepare a report that describes the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the coverage of marital and family therapy.

Among other things, this bill tried to change the state law about medical assistance to create a demonstration Medicaid program involving managed care or case management. The care provided by this program would have to comply with the Federal Parity Law.

Among other things, this bill tried to change the state law about medical assistance to create a demonstration Medicaid program involving managed care or case management. The care provided by this program would have to comply with the Federal Parity Law.

• Forbids plans from using financial requirements and treatment limitations for substance use disorder services that “place a greater financial burden” than those used for other medical services
• Forbids plans from using prior authorization for substance use disorder services if they do not do so for other medical services
• Forbids plans from only covering inpatient care or outpatient care
• Forbids plans from excluding coverage for medically necessary care for substance use disorder services
• Forbids plans from denying payment because a treatment program for substance use disorder was not completed or interrupted
• Forbids plans from using financial requirements and treatment limitations for mental health services that “place a greater financial burden” than those used for other medical services
• Eliminates the $4,000 annual maximum for mental health care in the State Health Insurance Plan

This bill tried to change state law so that Medicaid would cover behavioral health services provided by a marital and family therapist.

• Forbids plans from using financial requirements and treatment limitations for substance use disorder services that “place a greater financial burden” than those used for other medical services
• Forbids plans from using prior authorization for substance use disorder services if they do not do so for other medical services
• Forbids plans from only covering inpatient care or outpatient care
• Forbids plans from excluding coverage for medically necessary care for substance use disorder services
• Forbids plans from denying payment because a treatment program for substance use disorder was not completed or interrupted
• Forbids plans from using financial requirements and treatment limitations for mental health services that “place a greater financial burden” than those used for other medical services
• Eliminates the $4,000 annual maximum for mental health care in the State Health Insurance Plan

This bill tried to add a section to the state insurance law about autism coverage. It is very similar to the section that is currently in the law, which was added by SB 74 from the 2011-2012 legislative session and is summarized above (the section of the state insurance law about autism coverage is summarized at the bottom of the Alaska Statute tab).