Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act

This bill requires health insurance plans and issuers to maintain accurate provider directories for mental health and substance use disorder services, including specific details like whether providers accept new patients, languages spoken, and availability of services. It defines "ghost networks" (where directories list providers who aren't actually in-network) and mandates annual independent audits of provider directories to ensure accuracy, with health plans required to verify directory information every 90 days. The bill strengthens mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements by establishing national standards for network adequacy and reimbursement rates, and creates state and tribal ombudsman programs to help consumers navigate behavioral health coverage issues. Health plans must notify consumers if they paid out-of-network costs for services listed as in-network, and the government will conduct annual audits of plans with complaints about ghost networks.