CT HB05140

Effective January 1, 2018, requires both individual and group health insurance policies to cover diagnosis and treatment of mental or nervous conditions, including substance use disorders, with a comprehensive list of 25 covered services (inpatient hospitalization, detoxification, outpatient services, screening, family therapy, and residential treatment)

Authorizes reimbursement for mental health and substance abuse services provided by licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, marital and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, licensed professional counselors, and advanced practice registered nurses when performing services otherwise covered under physician care

Prohibits insurance policies from creating greater financial burdens for mental health and substance abuse treatment compared to medical or surgical treatment, and allows multiple screening services to be reimbursed during a single-day visit

Mandates that out-of-network providers treating substance use disorders must be paid directly by insurers, with patients deemed to have assigned their benefits to the provider; providers cannot bill patients except for applicable copayments, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses

Establishes that residential treatment facility benefits require demonstration of serious mental or nervous conditions that cannot be treated in acute care, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or outpatient settings, based on assessment by qualified professionals