Behavioral Health Task Force

The Behavioral Health (BH) Task Force is committed to advancing the understanding of laws impacting behavioral health, including the delivery of services to those living with mental illness, certain neurological conditions, substance use disorders or developmental disabilities, and reimbursement for such services. A complex framework of federal and state laws concerning privacy, information sharing and exchange, reimbursement, involuntary commitment, and other subjects provides unique challenges to health care providers and payers of behavioral health services. Scientific, legislative, and other developments, including health care reform, have presented new issues and opportunities in this area, including primary and behavioral health care integration initiatives, insurance coverage parity mandates, changes to Medicaid, and evolving public policy, to name a few. The BH Task Force monitors and evaluates these laws and developments through written materials, webinars, and in-person educational activities so that AHLA members are better equipped to advise clients on behavioral health topics. In addition, the work of the BH Task Force serves to raise awareness about how behavioral health laws influence health improvement efforts, and will include collaborative efforts with AHLA's Public Interest activities.

Illinois Implements Licensing Process for Psychologist Prescribing (PG Briefing, January 30, 2018)

(PG Bulletin, January 24, 2018)

SAMHSA Finalizes Changes to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records Regulations (PG Bulletin, January 11, 2018)

Subpoena Response Toolkit (PG Toolkit, June 20, 2017)
The Subpoena Response Toolkit is a collection of materials designed to assist in-house legal departments with responding to subpoenas that request substance use disorder treatment information that is protected by 42 CFR Part 2. The Toolkit includes an introductory overview of the regulation and sample materials, such as form letters, template policies, and sample court orders.

42 C.F.R. Part 2 in Retrospective: The 30-Year Journey of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Confidentiality Regulations (PG Briefing, May 10, 2017)