Relating to a Medicaid demonstration waiver to support and improve the delivery of substance use disorder treatment services

This bill requires the department of human services (DHS) to submit a Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver application to the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services of the United States department of health and human services, in accordance with federal guidance relating to strategies to address the opioid epidemic, to support the delivery of a full continuum of comprehensive, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment services to Medicaid members in an effort to improve quality, accessibility, and outcomes in the most cost-effective manner. The demonstration waiver would, in part, allow the state to receive federal financial participation for clinically appropriate Medicaid services delivered to individuals with substance use disorders in institutions for mental disease (IMD). Currently, federal financial participation is not available for such services delivered in an IMD, which under federal law is defined as a hospital, nursing facility, or other institution of more than beds, that is primarily engaged in providing diagnosis, treatment, or care of persons with mental diseases, including medical attention, nursing care, and related services. DHS shall provide progress reports regarding the approval of the demonstration waiver application to the governor and the general assembly on a quarterly basis.