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Coverage for Children's Behavioral Health Care Coordination

TAKE ACTIONCoverage for Children's Behavioral Health Care Coordination

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Enhanced care coordination, or "wraparound", is an integral part of the Children's System of Care for behavioral and mental health's Tier 3 Intensive, Community-Based Services. Wraparound is New Hampshire's version of a proven youth- and family-centered planning and care coordination process, but it is not covered by private insurance carriers, meaning many families cannot access these critical services. 

New Hampshire must ensure all families can access the care they need, regardless of their insurance type. 

Learn More about Wraparound Programs

Wraparound is New Hampshire's version of a proven youth- and family-centered planning and care coordination process.1 There are three distinct wraparound programs:

These programs are designed for families who have tried less intensive treatments and/or have complex situations requiring them to be involved in more than one “system” (e.g. special education, mental health, child protection, and juvenile justice).

Wraparound helps families identify their strengths and needs. It then brings together a team of professionals (including other family members and service providers) to develop and support the family’s plan so the child can remain at home.

Enhanced care coordination programs have empowered hundreds of families facing behavioral health challenges as they navigate complex systems. However, a private insurance coverage gap has created barriers for Granite State families and cost taxpayer dollars unnecessarily.

About the Bill

Right now in New Hampshire, Medicaid covers enhanced care coordination (wraparound) services for children's mental health, but private insurance doesn't. This means:
 
  1. Some children with private insurance may be able to qualify for Medicaid through a special program, but not until their mental health challenges become severe.
  2. Taxpayer money is being used to cover these services.
Senate Bill 128 would require private insurance companies to help pay for these mental health services, creating a partnership between public and private insurers. This would help all New Hampshire children get the care they need, no matter what type of insurance they have.

Take Action

Easy Action Form: Email the Senate Finance Committee

Attend or Testify at a Public Hearing

Make your voice heard by attending or testifying at a public hearing! New Futures can help you prepare remarks, find the committee room, and offer moral support at the hearing.

Please see the Bill Status section below to see if this bill is currently scheduled for a hearing.

If you are interested in attending or testifying at a currently scheduled hearing or would like us to let you know when future hearings are scheduled, please click the button below to indicate your interest.

You can learn more about what to expect on our Ways to Advocate webpage

Share Your Story

Will you share your experience to help support insurance coverage for enhanced care coordination in NH? Stories are powerful tools that can be shared with lawmakers and the public to influence policy change. New Futures can help you develop effective ways to share your story. 

  • Have you, a loved one, a client/patient, etc. either benefitted from or struggled to access youth behavioral/mental health care?
  • Do you have experience with enhanced care coordination, or "wraparound", also known as FAST (Families and Systems Together) Forward, early childhood wraparound, or Transitional Enhanced Care Coordination (TrECC)?

Spread the Word: Fact Sheet

Download and share our one-pager!

Spread the Word: Social Media

Check out our social media channels and share our latest posts about Senate Bill 128!

Bill Status

February 10: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 128. You can read the committee report here. 179 people signed in to support the bill, 6 people signed in to oppose, and 3 were neutral.

February 19: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee recommended 5-0 that the full Senate pass the bill.

March 6: The NH State Senate passed the bill as part of their consent calendar (where less controversial bills are voted on together by voice vote).

March 11: As the bill involves state finances, (signified by FN for "fiscal note" after the bill number), it was considered next by the Senate Finance Committee. They recommended unanimously that the full Senate pass the bill.

March 20: The bill was unanimously approved on the Senate floor, then tabled for possible inclusion in the Senate’s version of the NH state budget.

Next: The Senate Finance Committee will put together their version of the NH state budget, and may include language from SB 128.

You can learn more about how New Hampshire's legislative process works on our About the Legislature webpage, or take one of our advocacy trainings.

 

Your contribution to New Futures will leave a lasting impact in the Granite State!

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