Bill > HB1396

This bill modifies Texas insurance law to expand mental health condition and substance use disorder coverage across several governmental health benefit plans, including basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551 and 1601, basic plans under Chapter 1575, and primary care coverage plans under Chapter 1579. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify which types of health plans are subject to mental health coverage requirements, removing certain previous exemptions. It specifies that the commissioner will enforce compliance with treatment limitation evaluations for most plans, while for specific plans (those in Section 1355.252(d)), the applicable trustees or board will be responsible for enforcement. The bill evaluates treatment limitations across four categories: in-network and out-of-network inpatient and outpatient care, emergency care, and prescription drugs. Importantly, these changes will only apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, allowing health plans time to adjust their coverage. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and is designed to ensure more comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder coverage under governmental health benefit plans in Texas.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1396