2010 -- S 2551

=======

LC01410

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Perry, C Levesque, Gallo, P Fogarty, and Tassoni

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2010

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Section 27-38.2-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-38.2 entitled

1-2

"Insurance Coverage for Mental Illness and Substance Abuse" is hereby amended to read as

1-3

follows:

1-4

     27-38.2-1. Mental illness coverage. -- Every health care insurer that delivers or issues

1-5

for delivery or renews in this state a contract, plan, or policy except contracts providing

1-6

supplemental coverage to Medicare or other governmental programs, shall: provide

1-7

     (1) Provide coverage for the medical treatment of mental illness and substance abuse

1-8

under the same terms and conditions as that coverage is provided for other illnesses and diseases.;

1-9

and

1-10

     (2) Ensure that reimbursement for professional providers providing medical treatment of

1-11

mental illness and substance abuse is determined using the same methodology as reimbursement

1-12

for professional providers of medical services. Insurance coverage offered pursuant to this statute

1-13

must include the same durational limits, amount limits, deductibles, and co-insurance factors for

1-14

mental illness as for other illnesses and diseases. In no case shall professional reimbursement paid

1-15

by a health care insurer for mental illness coverage be at a level that is not comparable to

1-16

reimbursements paid by such insurer for medical services of a similar level and requiring similar

1-17

expertise.

2-1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01410

=======

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH

ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

***

3-1

     This act would provide that reimbursement for professional providers providing medical

3-2

treatment of mental illness and substance abuse is determined using the same methodology as

3-3

reimbursement for professional providers of medical services, and in no case would

3-4

reimbursement paid by an insurer for mental illness coverage be at a level that is not comparable

3-5

to reimbursements paid for medical services at a similar level.

3-6

     This act would take effect upon passage.

     

=======

LC01410

=======

S2551