Senate Bill S4351

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S4351

SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to requiring a
report on the delivery of integrated service providers statewide

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill relates to requiring a report on the delivery of integrated
service providers statewide.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Section 7.07 of the mental hygiene law is amended by adding a
new subdivision (i) requiring the office of mental health, in consulta-
tion with the department of health, the office for people with develop-
mental disabilities and the office of addiction services and support to
prepare and issue a report no later than January 1, 2021, and biannually
thereafter, to the governor and the legislature on the delivery of inte-
              

grated health services. The report must include, but not be limited to,
the following information related to each integrated service provider
statewide and by county:

(1) location of each provider, type of integrated care model and state
licensing agency;

(2) objectives and scope of each program;

(3) most frequent physical health, behavioral health and social services
needs of patients and any additional services that required a referral
to an outside program;

(4) .number and type of providers which are currently or were recently
seeking approval to be an integrated service provider and the outcome of
their application, including reasons why a provider's application was
denied;

(5) information regarding the effectiveness and efficacy of the inte-
grated care services program in relation to its goal and quality assur-
ance plan;

(6) any unidentified quality improvement opportunities with respect to
patient concerns and complaints, changes in regulatory requirements and
any recommendation and plans for improvement in its services to
patients, as well as recommended changes in its policies and procedures.

Section 2. Provides that this bill will take effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Integrated services are the coordination and management of care services
so that patients receive the medical, mental health and social services
they need in one location. Integrated care benefits patients by creating
a team-based approach to their care where the expertise of primary care
physicians is combined with that of mental health and substance abuse
service providers to ensure that all patient needs are met. For adults
with serious mental illness, the integration of primary medical and
mental health services is central to achieving improved patient care and
outcomes.

This measure requires the Office of Mental Health, in consultation with
the Department of Health, the Office for People with Developmental Disa-
bilities and the Office of Addiction Services and Support, to report to
the Governor and Legislature on a bi-annual basis the number of inte-
grated service providers in the state, their locations, services
provided, and the number of providers currently or recently seeking
approval toò provide integrated services, including reasons why a
provider's application was denied. The report must also include informa-
tion on the most frequent needs of patients, as well as the effective-
ness and efficacy of services provided, amongst other things. Such
reporting will help to ensure that those most in needòof integrated care
will have access to it when they need it.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

A.10484 of 2020; Referred to Rules

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.