Bill > HB1134

This bill amends Indiana law to expand the definition of "treatment of a mental illness or substance abuse" to include services provided by a broader range of mental health professionals, including mental health counselor associates, social workers, marriage and family therapist associates, clinical addiction counselor associates, and interns or trainees pursuing study in medicine, psychology, or professional licensure. The bill requires insurance providers to submit annual reports to the state department detailing their medical necessity criteria and treatment limitations for mental health and substance abuse services, ensuring these limitations are not more restrictive than those applied to other medical conditions. The changes are designed to align with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act of 2008, which aims to ensure that mental health and substance abuse treatments are covered by insurance providers on par with other medical treatments. The provisions will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to both accident and sickness insurance policies and individual and group insurance contracts, with the goal of improving access to mental health and substance abuse treatment across Indiana.