(a) Coverage of mental health and substance use disorder treatment pursuant to Section 10144.5 includes behavioral health crisis services that are provided to an insured by a 988 center, mobile crisis team, or other provider of behavioral health crisis services, as set forth in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 53123.1) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, regardless of whether the service is provided by an in-network or out-of-network provider or facility. With respect to behavioral health crisis services that are provided to an insured by a 988 center or mobile crisis team, a health insurance policy shall cover, at a minimum, all items and services that are eligible for coverage under the Medi-Cal program. (b) (1) An insurer shall not require prior authorization for behavioral health crisis stabilization services and care provided by a 988 center, mobile crisis team, or other provider of behavioral health crisis services. (2) Notwithstanding any other law, payment for behavioral health crisis stabilization services and care pursuant to this section shall not be denied unless a health insurer reasonably determines that care was not rendered. (3) If its prior authorization requirements comply with Section 10144.4, a health insurer may require prior authorization for poststabilization care. If there is a disagreement between a health insurer and behavioral health crisis services provider or facility regarding the need for poststabilization care, an insurer shall assume responsibility for care of the insured by promptly arranging for care pursuant to Section 10144.5 at a level of care determined in accordance with utilization review criteria under Section 10144.52. (4) An insurer shall not require, under any circumstances, a behavioral health crisis services provider or facility to discharge or transfer an insured before stabilization has occurred or before it has conducted utilization review in accordance with Sections 10144.5 and 10144.52. (c) (1) If prior authorization is required for poststabilization care, a health insurer that is contacted by a 988 center, mobile crisis team, or other provider of behavioral health crisis services shall, within 30 minutes of the time the provider makes the initial contact, either authorize poststabilization care or inform the provider that it will arrange for the prompt transfer of the insuredâs care to another provider. (2) A health insurer that is contacted by a 988 center, mobile crisis team, or other provider of behavioral health crisis services shall reimburse the provider or facility for poststabilization care rendered to the insured if any of the following occur: (A) The health insurer authorized the 988 center, mobile crisis team, or other provider of behavioral health crisis services to provide poststabilization care. (B) The health insurer did not respond to the providerâs initial contact or did not make a decision regarding whether to authorize poststabilization care or to promptly transfer the insuredâs care within the timeframe set forth in paragraph (1). (C) There is an unreasonable delay in the transfer of the insuredâs care to another provider, and the provider determines that the insured requires poststabilization care. (3) A health insurer shall prominently display on its internet website the specific telephone number for noncontracting providers to obtain prompt authorization for the transfer of a stabilized insuredâs care to another provider or authorization to provide poststabilization care. The health insurer shall ensure the telephone number published on its internet website is the correct telephone number for purposes of this paragraph. The health insurer shall update the telephone number on its internet website within one business day if the telephone number changes. A health insurer shall provide the telephone number to the department. (4) A health insurer shall not require a 988 center, mobile crisis team, or other provider of beha
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