Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013

To amend the Public Health Service Act and the Social Security Act to extend health information technology assistance eligibility to behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse professionals and facilities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013 2. Extension of health information technology assistance for behavioral and mental health and substance abuse Section 3000(3) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300jj(3) and any other category behavioral and mental health professionals (as defined in section 331(a)(3)(E)(i)), a substance abuse professional, a psychiatric hospital (as defined in section 1861(f) of the Social Security Act), a community mental health center meeting the criteria specified in section 1913(c), a residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facility, 3. Extension of eligibility for medicare and Medicaid health information technology implementation assistance (a) Payment incentives for eligible professionals under medicare Section 1848 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4 (1) in subsection (a)(7)— (A) in subparagraph (E), by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv) Additional eligible professional The term additional eligible professional ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (F) Application to additional eligible professionals The Secretary shall apply the provisions of this paragraph with respect to an additional eligible professional in the same manner as such provisions apply to an eligible professional, except in applying subparagraph (A)— (i) in clause (i), the reference to 2015 shall be deemed a reference to 2019; (ii) in clause (ii), the references to 2015, 2016, and 2017 shall be deemed references to 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively; and (iii) in clause (iii), the reference to 2018 shall be deemed a reference to 2022. ; and (2) in subsection (o)— (A) in paragraph (5), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (D) Additional eligible professional The term additional eligible professional ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Application to additional eligible professionals The Secretary shall apply the provisions of this subsection with respect to an additional eligible professional in the same manner as such provisions apply to an eligible professional, except in applying— (A) paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the reference to 2016 shall be deemed a reference to 2020; (B) paragraph (1)(B)(ii), the references to 2011 and 2012 shall be deemed references to 2015 and 2016, respectively; (C) paragraph (1)(B)(iii), the references to 2013 shall be deemed references to 2017; (D) paragraph (1)(B)(v), the references to 2014 shall be deemed references to 2018; and (E) paragraph (1)(E), the reference to 2011 shall be deemed a reference to 2015. . (b) Eligible hospitals Section 1886 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix), by adding at the end the following new subclause: (V) The Secretary shall apply the provisions of this subsection with respect to an additional eligible hospital (as defined in subsection (n)(6)(C)) in the same manner as such provisions apply to an eligible hospital, except in applying— (aa) subclause (I), the references to 2015, 2016, and 2017 shall be deemed references to 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively; and (bb) subclause (III), the reference to 2015 shall be deemed a reference to 2019. ; and (2) in subsection (n)— (A) in paragraph (6), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) Additional eligible hospital The term additional eligible hospital ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Application to additional eligible hospitals The Secretary shall apply the provisions of this subsection with respect to an additional eligible hospital in the same manner as such provisions apply to an eligible hospital, except in applying— (A) paragraph (2)(E)(ii), the references to 2013 and 2015 shall be deemed references to 2017 and 2019, respectively; and (B) paragraph (2)(G)(i), the reference to 2011 shall be deemed a reference to 2015. . (c) Medicaid providers Section 1903(t) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(t)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(B)— (A) in clause (i), by striking , or (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding after clause (ii) the following new clauses: (iii) a public hospital that is principally a psychiatric hospital (as defined in section 1861(f)); (iv) a private hospital that is principally a psychiatric hospital (as defined in section 1861(f)) and that has at least 10 percent of its patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals receiving medical assistance under this title; (v) a community mental health center meeting the criteria specified in section 1913(c) of the Public Health Service Act; or (vi) a residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facility that— (I) is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Council on Accreditation, or any other national accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary; and (II) has at least 10 percent of its patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals receiving medical assistance under this title. ; and (2) in paragraph (3)(B)— (A) in clause (iv), by striking and (B) in clause (v), by striking the period and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: (vi) clinical psychologist providing qualified psychologist services (as defined in section 1861(ii)), if such clinical psychologist is practicing in an outpatient clinic that— (I) is led by a clinical psychologist; and (II) is not otherwise receiving payment under paragraph (1) as a Medicaid provider described in paragraph (2)(B). . (d) Medicare Advantage organizations Section 1853 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–23 (1) in subsection (l)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by inserting or additional eligible professionals (as described in paragraph (9)) paragraph (2) (ii) by inserting and additional eligible professionals under such sections (B) in paragraph (3)(B)— (i) in clause (i) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting or an additional eligible professional described in paragraph (9) paragraph (2) (ii) in clause (ii)— (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting or an additional eligible professional described in paragraph (9) paragraph (2) (II) in subclause (I), by inserting or an additional eligible professional, respectively, eligible professional (C) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting and additional eligible professionals all eligible professionals (D) in paragraph (4)(D), by adding at the end the following new sentence: In the case that a qualifying MA organization attests that not all additional eligible professionals of the organization are meaningful EHR users with respect to an applicable year, the Secretary shall apply the payment adjustment under this paragraph based on the proportion of all such additional eligible professionals of the organization that are not meaningful EHR users for such year. (E) in paragraph (6)(A), by inserting and, as applicable, each additional eligible professional described in paragraph (9) paragraph (2) (F) in paragraph (6)(B), by inserting and, as applicable, each additional eligible hospital described in paragraph (9) subsection (m)(1) (G) in paragraph (7)(A), by inserting and, as applicable, additional eligible professionals eligible professionals (H) in paragraph (7)(B), by inserting and, as applicable, additional eligible professionals eligible professionals (I) in paragraph (8)(B), by inserting and additional eligible professionals described in paragraph (9) paragraph (2) (J) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) Additional eligible professional described With respect to a qualifying MA organization, an additional eligible professional described in this paragraph is an additional eligible professional (as defined for purposes of section 1848(o)) who— (A) (i) is employed by the organization; or (ii) (I) is employed by, or is a partner of, an entity that through contract with the organization furnishes at least 80 percent of the entity’s Medicare patient care services to enrollees of such organization; and (II) furnishes at least 80 percent of the professional services of the additional eligible professional covered under this title to enrollees of the organization; and (B) furnishes, on average, at least 20 hours per week of patient care services. ; and (2) in subsection (m)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by inserting or additional eligible hospitals (as described in paragraph (7)) paragraph (2) (ii) by inserting and additional eligible hospitals under such sections (B) in paragraph (3)(A)(i), by inserting or additional eligible hospital eligible hospital (C) in paragraph (3)(A)(ii), by inserting or an additional eligible hospital eligible hospital (D) in paragraph (3)(B)— (i) in clause (i), by inserting or an additional eligible hospital described in paragraph (7) paragraph (2) (ii) in clause (ii)— (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting or an additional eligible hospital described in paragraph (7) paragraph (2) (II) in subclause (I), by inserting or an additional eligible hospital, respectively, eligible hospital (E) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting or one or more additional eligible hospitals (as defined in section 1886(n)), as appropriate, section 1886(n)(6)(A)) (F) in paragraph (4)(D), by adding at the end the following new sentence: In the case that a qualifying MA organization attests that not all additional eligible hospitals of the organization are meaningful EHR users with respect to an applicable period, the Secretary shall apply the payment adjustment under this paragraph based on the methodology specified by the Secretary, taking into account the proportion of such additional eligible hospitals, or discharges from such hospitals, that are not meaningful EHR users for such period. (G) in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting and, as applicable, each additional eligible hospital described in paragraph (7) paragraph (2) (H) in paragraph (5)(B), by inserting and additional eligible hospitals, as applicable, eligible hospitals (I) in paragraph (6)(B), by inserting and additional eligible hospitals described in paragraph (7) paragraph (2) (J) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (7) Additional eligible hospital described With respect to a qualifying MA organization, an additional eligible hospital described in this paragraph is an additional eligible hospital (as defined in section 1886(n)(6)(C)) that is under common corporate governance with such organization and serves individuals enrolled under an MA plan offered by such organization. . 4. Providing protections for certain providers, vendors, and users of certified EHR technology (a) Covered entities (1) Covered entities For purposes of this section, a covered entity means, with respect to certified EHR technology (as defined in section 1848(o)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(o)(4))) and a year, any of the following: (A) Meaningful EHR users (i) An eligible professional (as defined in paragraph (5)(C) of section 1848(o) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(o))) determined to be a meaningful EHR user under paragraph (2) of such section for the EHR reporting period (as defined in paragraph (5)(B) of such section) during such year, or an additional eligible professional (as defined in paragraph (5)(D) of such section) determined to be a meaningful EHR user pursuant to paragraph (6) of such section for the EHR reporting period (as defined in paragraph (5)(B) of such section) during such year. (ii) In the case of a qualifying MA organization (as defined in paragraph (5) of section 1853(l) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(l))), an eligible professional described in paragraph (2) of such section or, as applicable, an additional eligible professional described in paragraph (9) of such section of the organization who the organization attests under paragraph (6) of such section to be a meaningful EHR user for such year. (iii) In the case of a qualifying MA organization (as so defined), an eligible hospital described in section 1853(m)(2) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(m)(2) 42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(m)(7) (iv) An eligible hospital (as defined in paragraph (6)(B) of section 1886(n) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(n) (v) A critical access hospital determined pursuant to section 1814(l)(3) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(l)(3) 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(n) (vi) A Medicaid provider (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 1903(t) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(t) (B) Health information exchange entities Individuals and entities (other than States or State designated entities) which during such year are health information exchange contractors (consisting of technology providers), health information exchange participants (consisting of organizations providing supportive technology to a health information exchange), and other users of health information exchanges (consisting of other entities that may be exchanging clinical or administrative data). Manufacturers of electronic health record (EHR) software and other health information technologies who participate in the reporting of adverse events or who otherwise contribute relevant patient safety work product under subsection (b)(1). (C) Certain other EHR users A health care professional who, during such year— (i) is a user of such certified EHR technology; (ii) is not eligible for incentive payments based on meaningful use of such technology under title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act solely because the professional is not— (I) an eligible professional (as defined in paragraph (5)(C) of section 1848(o) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(o) (II) an eligible professional described in paragraph (2) of section 1853(l) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(l) (III) an eligible hospital described in paragraph (2) of section 1853(m) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–23(m) (IV) an eligible hospital (as defined in paragraph (6)(B) of section 1886(n) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(n) (V) a critical access hospital; (VI) a Medicaid provider (as defined in paragraph (2) of section 1903(t) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396b(t) (VII) an additional eligible professional (as defined in paragraph (5)(D) of section 1848(o) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(o))); or (VIII) an additional eligible hospital (as defined in paragraph (6)(C) of section 1886(n) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(n) (iii) attests, to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, that but for the reason described in clause (ii), the professional would otherwise satisfy criteria to be eligible for such incentive payments during such year. (b) Improving patient safety through error reporting and remediation, and clarification of authority (1) Quarterly reporting by patient safety organizations Paragraph (1) of section 924(b) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 299b–24 (H) Not less than quarterly each year, the entity shall submit to the Office of the National Coordinator findings that— (i) exclude any individually identifiable information; (ii) are based on information submitted to the entity by covered entities (as defined in section 4(a)(1) of the Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013 (iii) describe the number and nature of EHR-related adverse events with respect to certified EHR technology (as such terms are defined in section 4(e) of such Act) so reported; and (iv) for each such EHR-related adverse event, identify the type event and the type electronic health record involved. . (2) Application of safety organization privilege and confidentiality protections In the case of a covered entity that submits to a patient safety organization information on an EHR-related adverse event with respect to certified EHR technology, and in the case of the collection and maintenance of such information by a patient safety organization, the provisions of section 922 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 299b–22 42 U.S.C. 299b–2 et seq. (3) Clarification of authority Certified EHR technology shall not be considered to be a device for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.). (c) Rules relating to E-Discovery In any health care lawsuit against a covered entity that is related to an EHR-related adverse event, with respect to certified EHR technology used or provided by the covered entity, electronic discovery shall be limited to— (1) information that is related to such EHR-related adverse event; and (2) information from the period in which such EHR-related adverse event occurred. (d) Legal protections for covered entities (1) General For a covered entity described in subsection (a), the following protections apply: (A) Encouraging speedy resolution of claims (i) General A claimant may not commence a health care lawsuit against a covered entity on any date that is 3 years after the date of manifestation of injury or 1 year after the claimant discovers, or through the use of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the injury, whichever occurs first. This limitation shall be tolled to the extent that the claimant is able to prove— (I) fraud; (II) intentional concealment; or (III) the presence of a foreign body, which has no therapeutic or diagnostic purpose or effect, in the person of the injured person. (ii) Treatment of a minor A health care lawsuit by or on behalf of a claimant under the age of 17 years at the time the injury was suffered may not be commenced after the date that is 3 years after the date of the alleged manifestation of injury except that actions by a claimant under the age of 6 years may not be commenced after the date that is 3 years after the date of manifestation of injury or prior to the claimant’s 8th birthday, whichever provides a longer period. This limitation shall be tolled for claimants under the age of 17 years for any period during which a parent or guardian and a health care provider or health care organization have committed fraud or collusion in the failure to bring an action on behalf of the claimant. (B) Equitable assignment of responsibility In any health care lawsuit against a covered entity— (i) each party to the lawsuit other than the claimant that is such a covered entity shall be liable for that party’s several share of any damages only and not for the share of any other person and such several share shall be in direct proportion to that party’s proportion of responsibility for the injury, as determined under clause (iii); (ii) whenever a judgment of liability is rendered as to any such party, a separate judgment shall be rendered against each such party for the amount allocated to such party; and (iii) for purposes of this subparagraph, the trier of fact shall determine the proportion of responsibility of each such party for the claimant’s harm. (C) Subsequent remedial measures Evidence of subsequent remedial measures to an EHR-related adverse event with respect to certified EHR technology used or provided by the covered entity (including changes to the certified EHR system, additional training requirements, or changes to standard operating procedures) by a covered entity shall not be admissible in health care lawsuits. (D) Increased burden of proof protection for covered entities Punitive damages may, if otherwise permitted by applicable State or Federal law, be awarded against any covered entity in a health care lawsuit only if it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that such entity acted with reckless disregard for the health or safety of the claimant. In any such health care lawsuit where no judgment for compensatory damages is rendered against such entity, no punitive damages may be awarded with respect to the claim in such lawsuit. (E) Protection from libel or slander Covered entities and employees, agents and representatives of covered entities are immune from civil action for libel or slander arising from information or entries made in certified EHR technology and for the transfer of such information to another eligible provider, hospital or health information exchange, if the information, transfer of information, or entries were made in good faith and without malice. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Claimant The term claimant (2) Compensatory damages The term compensatory damages (3) Economic damages The term economic damages (4) Certified EHR technology The term certified EHR technology (5) EHR-related adverse event The term EHR-related adverse event (6) Health care lawsuit The term health care lawsuit (7) Health care liability action The term health care liability action (8) Health care liability claim The term health care liability claim (9) Health care organization The term health care organization (10) Health care provider The term health care provider (11) Health care items or services The term health care items or services (12) Malicious intent To injure The term malicious intent to injure (13) Medical product The term medical product drug device biological product 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1) 42 U.S.C. 262(a) (14) Noneconomic damages The term noneconomic damages (15) Patient safety organization The term patient safety organization 42 U.S.C. 299b–21 (16) Punitive damages The term punitive damages (17) State The term State

Summary: Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include as a health care provider behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, psychiatric hospitals, certain community mental health centers, and residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to incentives for meaningful use of certified electronic health records (EHR) technology under the pay schedule for physician's services, to include as additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services. Subjects any additional eligible professionals, including those under a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan, to reductions in incentive payments after a certain date for failure to be a meaningful EHR user. Makes inpatient psychiatric hospitals eligible for payment for inpatient hospital services. Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to treat as Medicaid providers: (1) public and certain private hospitals that are principally psychiatric hospitals, (2) certain community mental health centers, and (3) certain residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities. Makes eligible professionals under the Medicaid program certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services. Authorizes a covered entity to submit to a patient safety organization information on electronic health record (EHR)-related adverse events with respect to certified EHR technology. Specifies covered entities as certain EHR users, health information exchange entities, and health care professionals who use EHR technology. Defines an EHR-related adverse event as a defect, malfunction, or error in the certified health information technology or EHR used by a provider, or in the input or output of data maintained through such technology or record, that results or could reasonably result in harm to a patient. Limits electronic discovery (e-discovery) in any health care lawsuit against a covered entity relating to an Reallotted adverse event involving certified EHR technology to information: (1) related to that event, and (2) from the period in which the event occurred. Prohibits a claimant from commencing a lawsuit more than three years after the manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers, or should have discovered, the injury, whichever occurs first. Requires tolling of this limitation, however, to the extent that the claimant is able to prove: (1) fraud; (2) intentional concealment; or (3) the presence of a foreign body, with no therapeutic or diagnostic purpose or effect, in the injured person. Subjects each party to such a lawsuit which is not a covered entity to proportionate liability only. Allows punitive damages against a covered entity only upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the entity acted with reckless disregard for the claimant's health or safety. Shields covered entities, employees, agents, and representatives from civil liability for libel or slander arising from information or entries made in certified EHR technology, or transferred to another eligible provider, if the information, entries, or transfer were made in good faith and without malice.