Proposal to tie mental‑health reimbursement to Medicare rates carried over after questions on costs and precedent
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Summary
HB763 would require in‑network reimbursement for outpatient mental‑health services at no less than Medicare rates; sponsors said it would expand access but insurers flagged unprecedented rate‑setting and unknown costs. The bill was carried over to 2027.
Delegate Seibold introduced HB763, which would require health insurance carriers to reimburse in‑network providers for covered mental‑health outpatient treatment at rates no less than 100% of the Medicare reimbursement for the same provider and service. The sponsor argued the floor would enable more providers to participate in networks and expand access.
Concerns and testimony: Doug Gray of the Virginia Association of Health Plans said the code does not typically set provider rates and that doing so would be new territory; he also emphasized the unknown fiscal cost. Several delegates expressed sympathy for provider access but worry about establishing statutory minimums for commercial rates. Delegate Sullivan moved to carry the bill over to the 2027 session; the motion passed by voice vote and HB763 was carried over.