The House Public Health Committee heard HB 1448 authored by Reps. Davisson and Clere pertaining to mental health drugs and coverage. The bill includes inpatient substance abuse detoxification services as a Medicaid service. The bill also prohibits the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning from requiring prior authorization for a non-addictive medication assistance treatment drug prescribed for the treatment of substance abuse. The bill also requires the Indiana Judicial Center to provide judges, the Prosecuting Attorneys Council to provide prosecutors and the Public Defenders Council to provide public defenders with information and training concerning diversion programs or other probationary programs available for individuals with an addictive disorder, including information on medication assisted treatment within these programs.
Testimony was heard in support of the bill from the Association of Community Mental Health Centers, a practitioner, Indiana School of Medicine, Indiana Psychological Association, the Office of the Attorney General and the Prescription Drug Task Force, and Mental Health America of Indiana. The bill passed 13-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1448.