Bill > H3459

This bill aims to improve access to mental health services by ensuring that individuals receiving "behavioral health treatment," which includes counseling, treatment programs, and applied behavior analysis designed to restore functioning, continue to receive coverage for their existing treatment even if their insurance provider or the contracted provider changes. Specifically, it mandates that insurance plans, including those offered by the Group Insurance Commission for state employees, individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and health maintenance organization contracts, must continue to cover an existing patient's treatment until it's no longer medically necessary, regardless of contract non-renewal. The bill also requires insurance providers to give at least 180 days' notice to behavioral health treatment providers before non-renewing a contract and to provide a clear reason for the non-renewal, ensuring that regulatory communications are not a basis for termination. These provisions will apply to all relevant health insurance policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after the bill's effective date.