Relates to reimbursement for non-medical transportation for individuals with a substance use disorder to receive peer support services
Summary
This bill amends the New York Mental Hygiene Law to require the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to establish reimbursement rates for non-medical transportation for individuals with a substance use disorder who travel to receive peer support services from an office-certified peer. The measure is aimed at reducing transportation barriers that can prevent people in recovery from accessing peer-based support.
In developing the reimbursement structure, the office must consult with the Department of Health and seek federal Medicaid participation and reimbursement. The bill also directs the office to consider using federal grant funding, including State Opioid Response grants and supplemental substance abuse prevention and treatment block grants, to help support the transportation reimbursement program. The bill specifies that reimbursement rates are to be established by April 1, 2026, and it takes effect 90 days after becoming law, with any necessary implementing regulations authorized immediately.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new section to the Mental Hygiene Law and create a state-level reimbursement framework for non-medical transportation tied to substance use disorder peer support services. It would affect the Office of Addiction Services and Supports and the Department of Health by requiring them to coordinate on Medicaid reimbursement and funding options, and it could expand access to recovery services for individuals who lack reliable transportation. The bill also contemplates use of federal Medicaid dollars and federal opioid and substance abuse grants, potentially shifting some program costs away from the state alone.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, with no recorded votes or committee transcript debate provided. Based on the bill’s purpose, the measure appears to be framed as a supportive access-to-care policy for people with substance use disorders, and there is no evidence in the provided materials of organized opposition or amendment activity. Overall sentiment in the available context is neutral to favorable, with the bill presented as a service-expansion and recovery-support measure.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials because there are no committee transcripts or votes. Potential areas of debate, based on the text, could include the cost of reimbursing transportation, whether Medicaid can or should cover the service, the administrative burden of setting rates and securing federal participation, and how broadly eligibility should be defined for peer support-related travel. Any such concerns are inferred from the bill’s structure rather than from recorded opposition.
Requires a rate enhancement for reimbursement of individual psychotherapy services provided by a mental health counselor, a clinical social worker, or a psychologist where such services are provided in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic.
Requires a rate enhancement for reimbursement of individual psychotherapy services provided by a mental health counselor, a clinical social worker, or a psychologist where such services are provided in an outpatient substance use disorder clinic.
Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data for incarcerated individuals in medication assisted treatment programs.
Requires the office of addiction services and supports to collect certain demographic data for incarcerated individuals in medication assisted treatment programs.
Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder during certain emergency medical treatment, or to relieve acute withdrawal symptoms.
Relates to dispensing certain controlled substances for use by a person with a substance use disorder during certain emergency medical treatment, or to relieve acute withdrawal symptoms.