SB 663 creates a working group within New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to study Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes. The group, including state officials and healthcare associations, will examine issues like access to care, staffing needs, infrastructure costs, and fair rate adjustments during ownership changes. It also allocates $5 million for a one-time payment to licensed nursing facilities serving Medicaid patients that saw their daily reimbursement rates drop below 95% of 2025 rates as of January 1, 2026. The working group must submit recommendations by December 2026, with the department having sole discretion over distributing the funds.
SB 123 requires New Hampshire's Medicaid program to cover ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse, including during detox and for opioid addiction or other substance use disorders. This policy change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with substance use disorders who choose this treatment option. The bill mandates adding ear acupuncture to the list of covered services under the state Medicaid plan, with implementation required by January 1, 2026. The state will cover the cost through existing Medicaid funding streams, with federal funds covering most expenses.
This bill requires New Hampshire's Insurance Department to reimburse pregnant Medicaid recipients for mental health screenings each trimester and to pay healthcare providers for advising patients about perinatal mental health resources. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create outreach programs for providers and incentive programs for certified perinatal mental health therapists, requiring two years of employment for reimbursement eligibility. The bill mandates higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for certified providers but does not allocate new state funding for implementation. It directly affects pregnant Medicaid patients and healthcare providers specializing in perinatal mental health.
SB 612 modifies eligibility rules for nursing facility and home and community-based care under New Hampshire Medicaid by adding "mobility" to the list of activities of daily living (ADLs) considered for qualification. This means applicants must now demonstrate a need for assistance with mobility (such as walking or using a wheelchair) to meet clinical eligibility requirements. The bill also requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to obtain a medical determination of long-term care needs from the applicant’s primary care provider, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse, and to consider input from other health providers like physical therapists. These changes directly affect Medicaid applicants seeking nursing facility or home-based care services in New Hampshire.
SB 498 creates the New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association to fund mental health services for children under 18. The association will collect mandatory assessments (fees) from insurance companies, stop-loss carriers, and third-party administrators covering children in the state, excluding Medicaid recipients. Funds gathered will be deposited into a dedicated fund managed by the insurance commissioner and used to pay care management entities providing specific services like intensive in-home therapy, structured outpatient programs, and care coordination. This directly affects insurers (who pay assessments), care management organizations (who receive payments), and children under 18 with covered health plans (who gain access to funded services).
HB 1755 requires New Hampshire hospitals and clinics participating in the federal 340B drug discount program to annually report detailed financial data to the state Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General. This includes costs of drugs purchased under the program, payments received, how savings are used for charity care or community health services, and patient demographics broken down by payer type (e.g., Medicaid, uninsured). The report must cover all 340B-covered entities with a New Hampshire service address, including offsite facilities. The state will compile and share aggregated data with the legislature to increase transparency around how program savings benefit patients.
SB 611 requires New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services to annually set Medicaid case management service rates that better reflect actual delivery costs, aiming to eliminate payment disparities. The department must consider factors like cost efficiency, quality of care, and access while addressing disparities such as administrative overhead costs currently paid to certain providers (e.g., for DAADS services). The bill does not provide new funding, and fiscal estimates indicate implementation could cost the state $2.1 million to $6.25 million annually from general funds. This change targets alignment between case management rates and other Medicaid services, without altering eligibility or coverage.
SB 455 requires health insurance plans in New Hampshire to cover GLP-1 medications (used for weight management and diabetes) for people with a BMI of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with at least one qualifying health condition like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. This applies to all health benefit plans sold in the state, directly affecting covered individuals who meet these criteria and health insurance companies. The bill mandates coverage without prior authorization for these specific eligibility groups, expanding access beyond current typical commercial coverage standards. It takes effect 60 days after enactment.
HB 1782 establishes a rural maternal health care delivery pilot program to provide prenatal and postnatal care in New Hampshire areas with limited access to specialized pregnancy services. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop this program, which would use mid-level practitioners (like certified nurse midwives) and collaborate with nearby hospitals, while also creating a Maternity Care Improvement Commission to study statewide maternal health strategies. It includes a Medicaid provider audit to ensure proper reimbursement for midwives and a loan reimbursement program for certified midwives who commit to working 32+ hours weekly in rural areas for at least two years. The pilot program and commission must report findings to state leaders by July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects rural pregnant people, midwives, and healthcare providers in underserved communities.
HB 1160 amends the structure and responsibilities of New Hampshire's county-state finance commission, which oversees shared funding between counties and the state for programs like Medicaid long-term care. The bill changes commission membership to include specific state agency representatives, county government appointees, and legislative members, while adding six new duties. Key provisions require the commission to review and recommend changes to Medicaid plans, state rate settings for long-term care services, county billing systems, and funding options before they are finalized. This directly affects counties and state agencies managing shared financial obligations for healthcare and social services programs.
