AB 713

This bill sets limitations on what is required for prior authorizations for mental

health treatment under the Medical Assistance (MA) program. Specifically, the bill

limits the information that may be collected on a prior authorization form, requires

the Department of Health Services (DHS) to allow 24 mental health therapy visits

before requiring prior authorization for additional visits, requires DHS to allow 15

days of adolescent day treatment services before requiring prior authorization for

additional days, and creates a preferred provider status for purposes of processing

prior authorization requests. The bill also requires a health maintenance

organization that provides mental health services under the MA program to use

uniform application, provider recertification, and prior authorization forms and

processes prescribed by DHS and to allow mental health agencies to replace a

departing mental health professional on the provider panel with another mental

health professional of similar qualifications who agrees to abide by the health

maintenance organization's policies.