Bill > S1027

This bill mandates that health insurance policies and contracts, including those for state employees, accident and sickness insurance, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), must provide coverage for medically necessary emergency psychiatric services on a non-discriminatory basis. This means that these services, which are defined as programs subject to contract for emergency mental health care, must be covered equally to other emergency medical services without unfair distinctions. The bill applies to policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2011, and requires that any changes to policy forms be approved by the commissioner of insurance, with the entire act taking effect on January 1, 2017.