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Bill to let federally qualified health centers bill Medicaid for additional master's‑level behavioral health providers gets support
Summary
Senate Bill 300 would require Medicaid to reimburse FQHCs for services provided by certain master’s‑level behavioral health clinicians added to federal Medicaid rules in 2023, including licensed alcohol and drug counselors and professional counselors.
Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop presented Senate Bill 300 to the subcommittee, saying the bill would align Nevada law with a 2023 federal change that expanded Medicaid reimbursement at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to include services provided by mental health counselors and alcohol and drug counselors who hold a master’s degree.
Dondero Loop said SB300 “aims to codify the existing federal requirement that Medicaid cover services performed by the listed professionals as it was amended in 2023” and directs the director of the Department of Health and Human Services to seek any federal waivers required to implement the change.
Helen Foley, board chair of FirstMed Health and Wellness (an FQHC), described FirstMed’s behavioral‑health program and said the center currently treats about 10,000 patients annually, with 60 percent requiring mental health services. Angela Quinn, FirstMed CEO, said the center has 27 licensed therapists and two psychiatrists and that adding the ability to bill for services from licensed alcohol and drug counselors (LADCs) and clinical alcohol and drug counselors (LCADCs) would let FirstMed expand clinician staff, reduce wait lists and serve more children and foster care patients.
Supporters told the committee the change would help integrated primary and behavioral health models. Steve Messinger of the Nevada Primary Care Association said health centers serve underserved communities and that behavioral health visits had increased 58 percent from 2018 to 2023, arguing the bill would improve access for vulnerable patients.
No opposition testimony was recorded during the hearing. Dondero Loop closed by noting the bill chiefly codifies an existing federal change and thanked stakeholders and FQHC representatives.
Ending note: the committee did not take a final vote in the hearing; sponsors asked DHHS to pursue federal paperwork required to claim federal financial participation for the newly covered provider types.
