Bill > HB1142

This bill modifies Texas insurance law to expand and standardize mental health and substance use disorder coverage across various government health benefit plans, including basic coverage plans, primary care coverage plans, and plans under different government health programs. The bill removes previous restrictions on mental health treatment, such as eliminating lifetime treatment series limits and ensuring that mental health coverage is equivalent to physical illness coverage. Specifically, the bill applies to health benefit plans offered by the Employee Retirement System (Chapter 1551), the Texas Employees Uniform Group Health Coverage (Chapter 1575), primary care coverage plans (Chapter 1579), and plans providing basic coverage (Chapter 1601). The changes will require these health plans to provide more comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder benefits, with consistent coverage standards across different types of governmental health plans. These modifications will apply to health benefit plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, giving insurers and administrators time to adjust their policies. The bill aims to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder treatments by removing previous limitations and ensuring more equitable coverage across different government health plans.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1142