Today's Law As Amended


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AB-1676 Health care: mental health.(2019-2020)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Section 1367.626 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

1367.626.
 (a) In order to more quickly diagnose and treat children and pregnant and postpartum persons suffering from mental illness, by January 1, 2021, a health care service plan shall establish a telehealth consultation program that provides providers who treat children and pregnant and postpartum persons with access to a psychiatrist during standard provider hours, which may include evenings and weekends. The telehealth consultation program shall provide consultation by telephone or telehealth video, and may include guidance on providing triage services and referrals to evidence-based treatment options, including psychotherapy.
(b) A health care service plan shall communicate information relating to the telehealth program and its availability to contracting medical providers who treat children and pregnant and postpartum persons, including pediatricians, obstetricians, and primary care providers, at least twice a year in writing.
(c) A health care service plan shall maintain records and data pertaining to the utilization of its telehealth consultation program and the availability of psychiatrists in order to facilitate ongoing changes and improvements to the program, as necessary.
(d) This section shall not apply to specialized health care service plans, except specialized behavioral health-only plans offering professional mental health services.

SEC. 2.

 Section 10123.868 is added to the Insurance Code, to read:

10123.868.
 (a) In order to more quickly diagnose and treat children and pregnant and postpartum persons suffering from mental illness, by January 1, 2021, a health insurer shall establish a telehealth consultation program that provides providers who treat children and pregnant and postpartum persons with access to a psychiatrist during standard provider hours, which may include evenings and weekends. The telehealth consultation program shall provide consultation by telephone or telehealth video, and may include guidance on providing triage services and referrals to evidence-based treatment options, including psychotherapy.
(b) A health insurer shall communicate information relating to the telehealth program and its availability to contracting medical providers who treat children and pregnant and postpartum persons, including pediatricians, obstetricians, and primary care providers, at least twice a year in writing.
(c) A health insurer shall maintain records and data pertaining to the utilization of its telehealth consultation program and the availability of psychiatrists in order to facilitate ongoing changes and improvements to the program, as necessary.
(d) This section shall not apply to specialized health insurers, except specialized behavioral health-only insurers offering professional mental health services.
SEC. 3.
 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.