CA AB154

Requires health care service plan contracts and health insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2013 to provide coverage for diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of mental illness (defined as mental disorders in the DSM-IV) for persons of any age, including children, under the same terms as other medical conditions.

Defines "mental illness" to include substance abuse but excludes 23 specified diagnoses from the DSM-IV such as bereavement, academic problems, nicotine dependence, and relational problems.

Allows definition of "mental illness" to be revised by joint regulation of the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance following publication of subsequent volumes of the DSM-IV.

Exempts Public Employees' Retirement System health care benefits unless the board elects to purchase plans with mental health coverage, and exempts Medi-Cal contracts, accident-only policies, and specified disease policies.

Exempts contracts entered into by the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board under the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program and the Access for Infants and Mothers Program from the mental health coverage requirements.