Iowa HF2543: A BILL FOR An Act relating to mental health care, including subacute mental health care facility requirements; admission to and discharge from a subacute mental health care facility; employment requirements at a subacute mental health care facility; insurance coverage for subacute mental health care; and the establishment of a psychiatric medical institution for children bed tracking system, and providing penalties and including effective date provisions

What the bill says

From the enrolled text, April 14, 2026:

House File 2543 - Enrolled House File 2543 RELATING TO SUBACUTE MENTAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND SERVICES, AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE PROVISIONS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: Section 1. Section 135G.1, subsection 12, paragraph c, Code 2026, is amended by striking the paragraph. Sec. 2. Section 135G.3, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION. 1A. Within twenty-four hours of a resident's admission to a subacute care facility, the subacute care facility shall develop an initial treatment plan with the resident. Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 135G.3A Insurance authorization. 1. If a mental health professional submits an electronic request through an internet portal designated by the department of health and human services for prior authorization for insurance coverage for an individual's subacute mental health care service under chapter 249A or chapter 249N, the department of health and human services or the managed care organization responsible for administering the individual's medical assistance shall provide a determination to the mental health professional for the preauthorization request as follows: a. Within forty-eight hours after the date of receipt of an urgent preauthorization request. House File 2543, p. b. Within five calendar days after the date of receipt of a nonurgent preauthorization request. c. Within ten calendar days after the date of receipt of …