§2749-C. Mandated offer of coverage for certain mental illnesses
1.Coverage for treatment for certain mental illnesses. Coverage for medical treatment for mental illnesses listed in paragraph A by all individual policies is subject to this
section.
A. All individual policies must make available coverage providing, at a minimum, benefits according to paragraph B, subparagraph
(1) for a person receiving medical treatment for any of the following mental illnesses diagnosed by a licensed allopathic
or osteopathic physician or a licensed psychologist who is trained and has received a doctorate in psychology specializing
in the evaluation and treatment of mental illness:
(1) Schizophrenia;
(2) Bipolar disorder;
(3) Pervasive developmental disorder, or autism;
(4) Paranoia;
(5) Panic disorder;
(6) Obsessive-compulsive disorder; or
(7) Major depressive disorder. [2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §8 (AMD); 2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §25 (AFF).]
B. All individual policies and contracts executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State must
make available coverage providing benefits that meet the requirements of this paragraph.
(1) The offer of coverage must provide benefits for the treatment and diagnosis of mental illnesses under terms and conditions
that are no less extensive than the benefits provided for medical treatment for physical illnesses.
(2) At the request of a reimbursing insurer, a provider of medical treatment for mental illness shall furnish data substantiating
that initial or continued treatment is medically necessary health care. When making the determination of whether treatment
is medically necessary health care, the provider shall use the same criteria for medical treatment for mental illness as for
medical treatment for physical illness under the individual policy. [2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §8 (AMD); 2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §25 (AFF).]
[
2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §8 (AMD);
2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §25 (AFF)
.]
2.Contracts; providers. An insurer incorporated under this chapter shall offer contracts to providers authorizing the provision of mental health
services within the scope of the provider's licensure.
[
2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §9 (AMD);
2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §25 (AFF)
.]
3.Limits; coinsurance; deductibles. A policy or contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum
benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not
inconsistent with the requirements of this section.
[
1995, c. 407, §5 (NEW)
.]
4.Reports to the superintendent. Every insurer subject to this section shall report its experience for each calendar year to the superintendent no later
than April 30th of the following year. The report must be in a form prescribed by the superintendent and include the amount
of claims paid in this State for the services required by this section and the total amount of claims paid in this State for
individual health care policies, both separated according to those paid for inpatient, day treatment and outpatient services.
The superintendent shall compile this data for all insurers in an annual report.
[
1995, c. 407, §5 (NEW)
.]
5.Application. Except as otherwise provided, the requirements of this section apply to all policies and contracts executed, delivered,
issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after July 1, 1996. For purposes of this section, all policies
are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date. Nothing in this section applies to accidental
injury, specified disease, hospital indemnity, Medicare supplement, long-term care or other limited benefit health insurance
policies.
[
1995, c. 407, §5 (NEW)
.]
SECTION HISTORY
1995, c. 407, §5 (NEW).
1995, c. 637, §3 (AMD).
2003, c. 20, §§VV8,9 (AMD).
2003, c. 20, §VV25 (AFF).
Data for this page extracted on 11/09/2009 11:20:25.