Bill

Bill > A4511


NJ A4511

NJ A4511
Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for enrollment of student in recovery high school alternative education program.


summary

Introduced
06/06/2024
In Committee
06/06/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires hospital, medical and health service corporations, commercial insurers, health maintenance organizations, health benefits plans issued pursuant to the New Jersey Individual Health Coverage and Small Employer Health Benefits Programs, the State Health Benefits Program, and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program, to provide coverage for benefits for the enrollment of a student in a recovery high school alternative education program established pursuant to State law. The bill requires health insurance coverage only if placement in the recovery high school alternative education program is determined to be clinically appropriate by a certified alcohol and drug counselor, licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, treating physician, treatment facility, or district student assistance counselor using the criteria for substance use disorder or dependency as defined by the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Under current law, a "recovery high school alternative education program" means an alternative education program that serves students diagnosed with substance use disorder or dependency as defined by the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and that provides a comprehensive four-year high school education in an alternative public school setting and a structured plan of recovery that is aligned with the national framework of evidence-based practices for recovery high schools.

AI Summary

This bill requires various health insurance carriers, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual and group health insurance policies, health benefits plans, and the State Health Benefits Program, to provide coverage for the enrollment of a student in a recovery high school alternative education program. Specifically, the coverage is only required if a certified professional (such as an alcohol and drug counselor, treating physician, or student assistance counselor) determines that placement in the recovery high school program is clinically appropriate using criteria from the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A recovery high school is defined as an alternative education program serving students diagnosed with substance use disorder, providing a comprehensive four-year high school education in an alternative public school setting with a structured recovery plan. The bill mandates that this coverage be provided under the same terms and conditions as other medical services and in compliance with federal mental health parity laws. The new requirements will apply to all insurance contracts and policies delivered, issued, executed, or renewed 60 days after the bill's enactment.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (on 06/06/2024)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...