Amendment ID: S2519-14

Amendment 14

Pilot Program for telebehavioral health for veterans and seniors

Messrs. Tran and O'Connor move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section _ the following new section: -

Section XX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of public health, in consultation with the department of mental health and the department of veterans’ services, as well as the executive office of elder affairs, shall establish a pilot program to increase veteran and senior access to telebehavioral health services. The program shall provide for a competitive grant program to allow local providers to provide telebehavioral health services through interactive video conferencing technology on-site at local senior centers, as well as veteran services locations, which may be funded through the behavioral health outreach, access and support trust fund established under section 2GGGGG of chapter 29 of the General Laws.

Delivery of behavioral health services shall be provided by a licensed mental health provider through live video conferencing between the provider and an individual patient. Participating senior centers, veterans’ affairs locations and providers shall follow best practices and ensure the privacy of all participating patience. The department shall, subject to appropriation, provide funding to assist with costs for the participating patients, public school and local providers. The department shall ensure that participating providers seek third-party reimbursement for these services; provided, however, that the inability of a patient to pay for services shall not be a barrier to accessing the program. When identifying criteria for participating sites, the department of public health shall consider: (i) the availability of affordable behavioral health services for seniors and veterans within the geographic region; and (ii) barriers within the geographic region that may prevent seniors and veterans from accessing services outside the school. One year after the implementation of the pilot program, the department of public health shall submit a report on the program’s performance, including, but not limited to: (i) the number of patients participating in the program; (ii) the frequency with which patients use the program; (iii) the cost of the services provided, including the use of support staff; and (iv) the manner in which costs have been supported by third-party reimbursement. The report shall be submitted to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the joint committee of mental health, substance use and recovery, the joint committee on education and the house and senate committees on ways and means.