An Illinois bill proposed Feb. 2 would require commercial health insurers and HMOs to pay a combined $100 million annual assessment to fund behavioral health crisis services, shifting costs that currently fall on Medicaid and local governments.
The crisis resources include call centers, mobile crisis response and stabilization.
“Commercial health insurance policies issued or administered in the state generally do not provide comprehensive coverage for the full continuum of behavioral health crisis services, resulting in the cost of such services being disproportionately borne by Medicaid, local governments and taxpayers,” the bill reads. These services “function as essential public health infrastructure and must be available statewide without regard to insurance status.”
Medicaid managed care organizations are exempt, but entities offering health or accident insurance, along with HMOs, that have at least $1 million in payments from the previous fiscal year would contribute. Each would be responsible for a proportional share of the $100 million total. The Illinois Department of Human Services could raise the total assessment above $100 million two years after the bill’s enactment.
The contributions would funnel into the Statewide 9-8-8 Trust Fund. Payers that fail to comply may be subject to no more than 18% annual interest for unpaid liabilities and 5% per month in penalties. The state could offset claims after 45 days and proper notice.
