Community-Based Mental Health Organizations in New Hampshire Should Bill Private Insurance

July 02, 2024

On March 8, 2024, the New Hampshire Insurance Department Commissioner issued Bulletin Docket No INS 24-016-AB to all health insurers. The bulletin recognizes that it is becoming more common for children (insureds 21 years of age and younger) with severe mental illness to receive care from community-based mental health organizations that are funded primarily through contracts with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. These organizations often do not bill the children’s commercial insurers because either they do not have contracts with the insurers or because they are “not sufficiently informed to properly bill under the coverage.” 

This bulletin encourages insurers to update or establish contracts with community mental health organizations and explore different reimbursement models and provide guidance to the providers on the proper billing codes and modifiers to use in billing for mental health services. 

Included in the bulletin is a chart put together by the insurance department, listing the proper codes for billing and the providers who may use the codes. 

Although the bulletin is directed at insurers, employers that sponsor insured plans may want to be aware of this development. 

Bulletin Docket No INS 24-016-AB