Bill > HB634

This bill, titled the Kentucky Mental Health Wellness Act, mandates that health plans, including those offered by state postsecondary education institutions and the state employee health plan, must provide coverage for an annual mental health wellness examination performed by a qualified mental health professional. This coverage must be as comprehensive as that for medical and surgical benefits, adhere to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (which ensures equal treatment for mental health and substance use disorder benefits compared to medical/surgical benefits), and not require any out-of-pocket costs like copayments or deductibles from the patient. The bill defines "mental health professional" broadly to include various licensed practitioners such as physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, therapists, and counselors, and outlines what a "mental health wellness examination" can encompass, including screenings, education, and referrals. These provisions will apply to health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, with a specific exception for plans that would lose their Health Savings Account (HSA) qualification due to these requirements, in which case the requirements would only apply after the deductible is met. The purpose of this Act is to encourage more people to utilize these examinations to improve the mental well-being of Kentucky residents.

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https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb634.html