(a) The Commissioner of Social Services may, with regard to the provision of behavioral health services provided pursuant to a state plan under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act: (1) Contract with one or more administrative services organizations to provide clinical management, intensive care management, provider network development and other administrative services; (2) delegate responsibility to the Department of Children and Families for the clinical management portion of such administrative contract or contracts that pertain to HUSKY A and B, and other children, adolescents and families served by the Department of Children and Families; and (3) delegate responsibility to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the clinical management portion of such administrative contract or contracts that pertain to Medicaid recipients who are not enrolled in HUSKY A.

(b) For purposes of this section, the term “clinical management” describes the process of evaluating and determining the appropriateness of the utilization of behavioral health services and providing assistance to clinicians or beneficiaries to ensure appropriate use of resources and may include, but is not limited to, authorization, concurrent and retrospective review, discharge review, quality management, provider certification and provider performance enhancement. The Commissioners of Social Services, Children and Families, and Mental Health and Addiction Services shall jointly develop clinical management policies and procedures.