January 15, 2010

Arizona Senate Bill 1390 to Authorize a Behavioral Health Care Pilot Program

The Arizona Legislature is considering a bill that will establish a two-year pilot program to provide integrated physical and behavioral health care services for adults with serious mental illness. As proposed in Arizona Senate Bill 1390, the pilot would be limited to adults with serious mental illness in Maricopa County who are also eligible for Medicaid. If approved by the legislature and signed into law, the pilot must also be approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and start on or before July 1, 2011. The legislation also shifts administration of general mental health and substance abuse services provided to adults eligible for Medicaid from the Arizona Department of Health Services to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Administration.