CS/CS/HB 633 — Behavioral Health Managing Entities
by Health Care Budget Subcommittee; Human Services Subcommittee; and Rep. Koster and others (CS/SB 1354 by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs and Senator Trumbull)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to contract for biennial operational and financial audits of the behavioral health managing entities (ME) that are charged with coordinating the state’s safety net program for mental health and substance use disorder services. The audits must include business practices, financial records, services administered, payment methods, referral patterns, network adequacy information, and expenditures and claims to include potential Medicaid service duplication. A final report must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2025.
The bill establishes performance standards and metrics that must be submitted monthly to the DCF in a standardized electronic format. This requires the MEs to report specific data related to:
- Service accessibility;
- Community behavioral health outcomes;
- Diversion from acute care;
- Integration with child welfare services;
- High-utilizer rates;
- Post-hospitalization outpatient care;
- Appointment wait times; and
- Emergency room visits for behavioral health issues.
The bill also requires the DCF to post the ME performance information to its website by the 22nd of every month. These posted measures must reflect ME performance for the previous calendar month, year-to-date totals, and annual trends.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 113-0