Gov. Eric Holcomb Thursday at the Statehouse ceremonially signed into law two policies authored by State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) helping Hoosiers receive better medical care.
Schaibley worked to ensure equitable and stable funding for community mental health centers. These centers provide inpatient and outpatient services to those living with mental illness and struggling with substance abuse. She said the new law also improves transparency by clarifying county government funding obligations.
“This law will ensure funding for these centers is efficient and transparent,” Schaibley said. “It also provides counties with important data about the mental health services the community mental health centers are providing their residents. It is my hope that this information will result in increased communication between mental health centers and counties to better meet the needs of patients.”
Another new law establishes clear guidelines for health insurance plans that require prior authorization for procedures or treatments. Schaibley said prior authorization is an important part of the insurance billing process where health care providers must receive approval from the patient’s health coverage plan indicating the treatment will be covered by insurance.
“To ensure patients receive crucial medical care in a timely manner, insurance providers must respond to an authorization request within a specific timeframe,” Schaibley said. “This law also clarifies prior authorization requirements and streamlines the process between providers and insurance companies.”
According to Schaibley, the use of standardized forms and the electronic transmission of requests and responses will accelerate this process, help avoid errors and prevent fraud.
Both laws go into effect on July 1, 2018.
State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel) represents House District 24, which includes portions of Boone and Hamilton counties.