Senate Bill S8720

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S8720

SPONSOR: SAVINO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to making behav-
ioral health care within nursing homes provided by licensed clinical
social workers eligible for coverage under the Medicaid program

 
PURPOSE:

Makes behavioral health services provided by licensed clinical social
workers within nursing homes eligible for coverage under Medicaid.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Amends Subdivision 2 of section 365-a of the social services law to
clinical social workers licensed pursuant to Article 154 of the Educa-
tion law to bill Medicaid directly for their services within their scope
of practice for services in nursing homes.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

This bill would allow Licensed Clinical Social Workers to directly bill
Medicaid for behavioral health services provided within nursing home
settings. Licensed Clinical Social Workers represent the largest group
of mental health practitioners in the nation. They are often the first
to diagnose and treat people with mental disorders and various emotional
and behavioral disturbances.

According to the CDC Given their congregate nature and resident popu-
lation served (e.g., older adults often with underlying chronic medical
conditions), nursing home populations are at high risk of being affected
by respiratory pathogens like COVID-19 and other pathogens, including
multidrug-resistant organisms (e.g., Carbapenemase-producing organisms,
Candida auris). As demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a strong
infection prevention and control (IPC) program is critical to protect
both residents and healthcare personnel (HCP).

Licensed Clinical Social Workers bring a unique skill set and focus to
residents (and families) of nursing homes promoting disease prevention
efforts (including disseminating accurate information from trusted
sources), and helping address anxiety and other concerns that are aris-
ing as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis.

Providing coverage for behavioral health service within nursing homes
will help expand this important component of health care coverage to our
states most vulnerable residents. Additionally, the presence of Licensed
Clinical Social workers will provide a new level of comfort and public
trust within nursing home facilities in New York State.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2020 Session - new bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
April 1, 2021