S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act. (SL 2021-180)

Overview: Section 9F.11 of S.L. 2021-180 provides funding for a two-year behavioral health urgent care pilot program at the Dix Crisis Intervention Center (the Dix Crisis Center) in Onslow County. The purpose of the pilot program is to serve individuals experiencing a mental health crisis episode anticipated to require a stay of up to 23 hours. The pilot must ensure continuity of care for individuals who ultimately require a longer stay.

Trillium Health Resources (Trillium) must develop and obtain approval of a Medicaid service definition to ensure Medicaid coverage for these behavioral health urgent care services. The new services will be covered by standard benefit plans under Medicaid managed care, effective upon the approval of the service definition. Trillium and the Dix Crisis Center must act in good faith to continue their contractual relationship, and the Dix Crisis Center must make good faith efforts to contract with commercial insurers, Tri-Care, and any other health benefit plan to the extent the plan covers behavioral health urgent care services.

By August 1, 2023, the Dix Crisis Center must report to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS), Department of Health and Human Services, on the services provided under the pilot, including information regarding utilization, outcomes, and expenditures. By October 1, 2023, DMH/DD/SAS must report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice, and the Fiscal Research Division, on the pilot, including the information received in the report from the Dix Crisis Center.

Except with regard to standard benefit plan coverage, as specified above, this section became effective July 1, 2021.