Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 315 First Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Dunnigan, J.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/15/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms; and
• requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan amendment to expand coverage for recreational therapy services.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

RECREATIONAL THERAPY MEDICAID COVERAGE
AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan
Senate Sponsor: 
Curtis S. Bramble
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill enacts provisions relating to recreational therapy coverage under Medicaid.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms; and
▸ requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a Medicaid
waiver or state plan amendment to expand coverage for recreational therapy
services.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
26-18-430
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
26-18-430
 is enacted to read:
 26-18-430.
Recreational therapy -- Reimbursement.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Assisted living facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
26-21-2
.
(b) "Behavioral health program" means a behavioral health program described in Title
62A, Chapter 15, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Act.
(c) "General acute hospital" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
26-21-2
.
(d) "Intermediate care facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section
58-15-101
.
(e) "Mental health therapist" means the same as that term is defined in Section
58-60-102
.
(f) "Qualified enrollee" means an individual who:
(i) is enrolled in the Medicaid program; and
(ii) has been referred for recreational therapy services by a mental health therapist.
(g) "Recreational therapy services" means the same as that term is defined in Section
58-40-102
.
(h) "Skilled nursing facility" means the same as that term is defined in Section
58-15-101
.
(i) "Youth residential treatment facility" means a facility that provides a 24-hour group
living environment for four or more individuals who are under 18 years old and who are
unrelated to the owner or provider of the facility.
(2) Before January 1, 2024, the department shall apply for a Medicaid waiver or a state
plan with CMS to allow for reimbursement for recreational therapy services provided:
(a) to a qualified enrollee;
(b) by an individual authorized to engage in the practice of recreational therapy under
Title 58, Chapter 40, Recreational Therapy Practice Act; and
(c) at a:
(i) general acute hospital;
(ii) youth residential treatment facility;
(iii) behavioral health program;
(iv) intermediate care facility;
(v) assisted living facility;
(vi) skilled nursing facility;
(vii) psychiatric hospital; or
(viii) mental health agency.
(3) If the waiver or state plan amendment described in Subsection (2) is approved, the
Medicaid program shall provide coverage to a qualified enrollee for recreational therapy
services.