FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

0525 - Consolidated Medical Services Fund

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Health and Human Resources to pay for mental health evaluations and treatment for drug offenders participating in drug courts The Department of Health and Human Resources estimates the cost to implement the proposed legislation during FY2015 to be $2,132,271. Between FY2012 and FY2013 the number of participants in adult drug courts increased from 534 to 587 or an increase of 53. Using the same number of participant increases for FY2014 (587 to 640) and FY2015 (640 to 693) the total estimated number of participants would be 693. Assuming the effective date of the proposed legislation to be FY2015 the Department utilized the expected 693 participants in calculating the estimated costs. During FY2013 the Department's Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities expended an average of $3,077 for individuals treated for mental health services. Using the same average cost for the drug court participants would result in the estimate of $2,132,271 for FY2015. However, it is possible that some of the current participants in the Drug Court Program are receiving referral to or some level of substance abuse treatment and/or mental health services through indigent care services from the Department's Comprehensive Providers.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2014
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2015
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 2,132,271 2,132,271
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 2,132,271 2,132,271
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


For FY 2015, there would be a cost of $2,132,271 ($3,077/person x 693 drug court participants) for individuals participating in the drug court who may have co-occurring addiction and mental health issues. The average cost per person was calculated by dividing the total funds expended for mental health services by the Department's Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities during FY2013 by the number of individuals with a mental health diagnosis. Should the estimated number of participants or average expended/participant increase after FY2015, costs would increase accordingly.



Memorandum


The Department's Medicaid program currently provides coverage for the substance abuse services that would be included in the proposed legislation. If the individual receiving the service is eligible for Medicaid participation, and the service is medically necessary, and the service is a covered benefit (and meets all the requirements) of the Medicaid State Plan, then Medicaid is currently paying for these services and there would not be any anticipated fiscal impact to the Medicaid program.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Karen L. Bowling
    Email Address: karen.l.bowling@wv.gov