Sec. 51. (a) As used in this section, “advisory committee” refers to the mental health Medicaid quality advisory committee established by subsection (b).

     (b) The mental health Medicaid quality advisory committee is established. The advisory committee consists of the following members:

(1) The director of the office or the director’s designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the advisory committee.

(2) The director of the division of mental health and addiction or the director’s designee.

(3) A representative of a statewide mental health advocacy organization.

(4) A representative of a statewide mental health provider organization.

(5) A representative from a managed care organization that participates in the state’s Medicaid program.

(6) A member with expertise in psychiatric research representing an academic institution.

(7) A pharmacist licensed under IC 25-26.

(8) The commissioner of the department of correction or the commissioner’s designee.

The governor shall make the appointments for a term of four (4) years under subdivisions (3) through (7) and fill any vacancy on the advisory committee.

     (c) The office shall staff the advisory committee. The expenses of the advisory committee shall be paid by the office.

     (d) Each member of the advisory committee who is not a state employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member’s duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.

     (e) Each member of the advisory committee who is a state employee is entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member’s duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget agency.

     (f) The affirmative votes of a majority of the voting members appointed to the advisory committee are required by the advisory committee to take action on any measure.

     (g) The advisory committee shall advise the office and make recommendations concerning the clinical use of mental health and addiction medications, including the implementation of IC 12-15-35.5-7(c), and consider the following:

(1) Peer reviewed medical literature.

(2) Observational studies.

(3) Health economic studies.

(4) Input from physicians and patients.

(5) Any other information determined by the advisory committee to be appropriate.

     (h) The office shall report recommendations made by the advisory committee to the drug utilization review board established by section 19 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.36-2009, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.185-2013, SEC.1; P.L.205-2013, SEC.207; P.L.2-2014, SEC.65; P.L.53-2014, SEC.107; P.L.130-2018, SEC.50.