Amendment #22 to H4879

Patient Engagement Advocates

Ms. Barber of Somerville moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the health policy commission, in consultation with the executive office of health and human services and the center for health information and analysis shall conduct a study of the cost and benefit of requiring all accountable care organizations to offer Patient Engagement Advocates to provide patient navigation and care coordination services for patients with a diagnosed mental illness or substance use disorder.

The study shall include, but not be limited to:

a. services currently offered by accountable care organizations certified by the health policy commission;

b. the cost of providing patient navigation and care coordination services through Patient Engagement Advocates. Advocates shall meet a standard of minimum skills and competencies as determined by the health policy commission. Services provided include: assistance finding providers; help navigating health insurance; providing support with medication adherence; and additional duties related to care coordination;

c. gaps in existing services for patients served by accountable care organizations with mental health and substance use disorders; and

d. the expected return on investment for accountable care organizations and for public and private insurance carriers by offering Patient Engagement Advocates.

The health policy commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, speaker of the house, senate president, clerks of the house and senate, chairs of the joint committee on health care finance, and chairs of the joint committee on mental health and substance use no later than 6 months after the passage of this act. Recommendations of the report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) a cost-benefit analysis of use of Patient Engagement Advocates in accountable care organizations; (ii) a plan for the establishment of standards for Patient Engagement Advocates; and (iii) any legislative recommendations.