Brief Description: Regulating group health benefit plan coverage of mental health services.

Sponsors: By Representatives Schual-Berke, Cody and Morrell; by request of Insurance Commissioner.

House Committee on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

All benefit plans offered by health carriers for groups of 50 or more employees must phase in mental health parity in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Summary:

All group benefit plans offered by health carriers for groups other than small groups defined by statute must phase in mental health parity in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Groups of 50 or more employees that meet the statutory definition of a small group are not required to phase in the mental health parity requirement.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   98   0
Senate   46   0

Effective: March 15, 2006