Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Health Care Committee

HB 2501

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

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

Brief Summary of Bill
  • All group benefit plans offered by health carriers for groups other than small groups defined in RCW 48.43.005 must phase in mental health parity in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Hearing Date: 1/20/06

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

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

Summary of Bill:

All group benefit plans offered by health carriers for groups other than small groups defined in RCW 48.43.005 must phase in mental health parity in 2006, 2008, and 2010.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.