27-50-305. Resources to support behavioral health safety net providers - independent third-

27-50-305. Resources to support behavioral health safety net providers - independent third-party contract. (1) No later than July 1, 2025, the BHA shall contract with an independent third-party entity to provide services and supports to behavioral health providers seeking to become a behavioral health safety net provider with the goal of the provider becoming self-sustaining. (2) The independent third-party entity shall assist behavioral health providers in accessing alternative payment models and enhanced reimbursement rates through the BHA and medicaid by providing: (a) Support to providers in completing the annual cost reporting to inform medicaid rate-setting; (b) Analysis of current accounting practices and recommendations on implementing new or modified practices to support the soundness of cost reporting; (c) Administrative support for enrolling in different payer types, including, but not limited to, medicaid, medicare, and commercial insurance; (d) Billing and coding support; (e) Claims processing; (f) Data analysis; (g) Compliance and training on policies and procedures; (h) Shared purchasing for technology; (i) Assistance in building provider capacity to become a behavioral health safety net provider; and (j) Any other service and support approved by the BHA. (3) The independent third-party entity shall prioritize providing services and supports to a behavioral health provider that has not previously used the state cost report process to set medicaid rates. (4) The independent third-party entity shall be nonpartisan and shall not lobby, personally or in any other manner, directly or indirectly, for or against any pending legislation before the general assembly.