Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H7939

Introduced
2/27/26  

Caption

Raises the age of eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services from eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) and establishes a minimum rate for commercial health insurance reimbursement for such services.

Impact

The bill impacts state laws regarding insurance coverage for mental health services, particularly acute crisis interventions. By mandating that all individual or group health insurance policies must cover mobile response and stabilization services for individuals up to twenty-one years old, H7939 enhances access to critical healthcare resources. It reflects a growing acknowledgment of mental health issues in young populations and aims to reduce barriers to treatments that have previously underserved this demographic.

Summary

House Bill H7939 aims to enhance mental health support by raising the age eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services from eighteen to twenty-one. This change is significant as it recognizes the ongoing mental health needs of young adults who may not yet have transitioned fully into adulthood. The bill establishes a framework ensuring that youth experiencing acute mental health crises can access immediate interventions necessary for stabilization and recovery, thereby placing a greater emphasis on early intervention in mental health scenarios.

Contention

Notable points of contention around H7939 include concerns over the insurance implications for providers and how effectively services can be delivered within the frameworks established by the bill. Some may question the adequacy of reimbursement rates that insurers are required to maintain for these services. Additionally, there might be debates surrounding the long-term sustainability of funding for mobile response services and the effectiveness of implementing these changes across diverse healthcare systems within the state. Stakeholders are likely to express needs for guarantees that the service models will meet the demand, particularly in high-need areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H6118

Requires coverage for acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services to eligible individuals enrolled as plan beneficiaries.

RI S0263

Requires coverage for acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services to eligible individuals enrolled as plan beneficiaries.

RI H5527

Establishes a statewide standalone children's mobile response and stabilization services to address the behavioral health needs of children and youth ages 2 to 21. DCYF to oversee implementation of the program.

RI S0429

Establishes a statewide standalone children's mobile response and stabilization services to address the behavioral health needs of children and youth ages 2 to 21. DCYF to oversee implementation of the program.

RI S0793

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

RI H5772

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

RI H5987

Establishes a core state behavioral health crisis services system, to be administered by the director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.

RI S1004

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

RI H6308

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

RI H6128

Establishes a core state behavioral health crisis services system, to be administered by the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.