Sec. 504. Telepsychiatry and primary care provider training grant program
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/bill/114/hr/4435/ih/section-504·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a grant program (in this subsection referred to as the grant program ) under which the Secretary shall award to 10 eligible States (as described in subsection (e)) grants for carrying out all of the purposes described in subsections (b), (c), and (d). For purposes of subsection (a), the purpose described in this paragraph, with respect to a grant awarded to a State under the grant program, is for the State to establish a training program to train primary care providers in— valid and reliable behavioral-health screening tools for violence and suicide risk, early signs of serious mental illness, and untreated substance abuse, including any standardized behavioral-health screening tools that are determined appropriate by the Secretary; implementing the use of behavioral-health screening tools in their practices; establishment of recommended intervention and treatment protocols for individuals in mental health crisis, especially for individuals whose illness makes them less receptive to mental health services; and implementing the evidence-based collaborative care model of integrated medical-behavioral health care in their practices.
For purposes of subsection (a), the purpose described in this paragraph, with respect to a grant awarded to a State under the grant program, is for the State to provide, in accordance with this paragraph, in the case of a primary care physician who participates in the training program of the State establish pursuant to subsection (b), payments to the primary care providers for services furnished by the primary care providers. The Secretary, in determining the structure, quality, and form of payment under paragraph
(1)shall seek to find innovative payment systems which may take into account— the nature and quality of services rendered; the patients’ health outcome; the geographical location where services were provided; the acuteness of the patient’s medical condition; the duration of services provided; the feasibility of replicating the payment model in other locations nationwide; and proper triage and enduring linkage to appropriate treatment provider for subspecialty care in child or forensic issues; family crisis intervention; drug or alcohol rehabilitation; management of suicidal or violent behavior risk, and treatment for serious mental illness. For purposes of subsection (a), the purpose described in this paragraph, with respect to a grant awarded to a State under the grant program, is for the State to provide, in the case of an individual furnished items and services by a primary care physician during an office visit, for payment for a consultation provided by a psychiatrist or psychologist to such primary care provider with respect to such individual through the use of qualified telehealth technology for the identification, diagnosis, mitigation, or treatment of a mental health disorder if such consultation occurs not later than the first business day that follows such visit. For purposes of paragraph (1), the term qualified telehealth technology , with respect to the provision of items and services to a patient by a health care provider, includes the use of interactive audio, audio-only telephone conversation, video, or other telecommunications technology by a health care provider to deliver health care services within the scope of the provider’s practice including the use of electronic media for consultation relating to the health care diagnosis or treatment of the patient. For purposes of this subsection, an eligible State is a State that has submitted to the Secretary an application under paragraph
(2)and has been selected under paragraph (4). A State seeking to participate in the grant program under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such format as the Secretary requires, an application that includes such information, provisions, and assurances as the Secretary may require. The Secretary may not make a grant under the grant program unless the State involved agrees, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the State in carrying out the purposes described in this subsection, to make available non-Federal contributions (in cash or in kind) toward such costs in an amount equal to not less than 20 percent of Federal funds provided in the grant. A State shall be determined eligible for the grant program by the Secretary on a competitive basis among States with applications meeting the requirements of paragraphs
(2)and (3). In selecting State applications for the grant program, the Secretary shall seek to achieve an appropriate national balance in the geographic distribution of grants awarded under the grant program. In seeking a grant under this subsection, a State shall demonstrate how the grant will improve care for individuals with co-occurring behavioral health and physical health conditions, vulnerable populations, socially isolated populations, rural populations, and other populations who have limited access to qualified mental health providers. The grant program under this subsection shall be conducted for a period of 3 consecutive years. Subject to Federal privacy protections with respect to individually identifiable information, the Secretary shall make the findings and conclusions resulting from the grant program under this subsection available to the public. Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021. For each fiscal year that grants are awarded under this subsection, the Secretary shall conduct a study on the results of the grants and submit to the Congress a report on such results that includes the following: An evaluation of the grant program outcomes, including a summary of activities carried out with the grant and the results achieved through those activities. Recommendations on how to improve access to mental health services at grantee locations. An assessment of access to mental health services under the program. An assessment of the impact of the demonstration project on the costs of the full range of mental health services (including inpatient, emergency and ambulatory care). Recommendations on congressional action to improve the grant. Recommendations to improve training of primary care providers. Not later than December 31, 2018, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available to the public a report on the findings of the evaluation under subparagraph
(A)and also a policy outline on how Congress can expand the grant program to the national level.