ME LD1589

Requires insurers and HMOs providing mental health coverage to reimburse outpatient counseling services at minimum 150% of MaineCare rates when provided by licensed master social workers, clinical social workers, clinical professional counselors, pastoral counselors, or marriage and family therapists

Prohibits insurers from discriminating against licensed counseling professionals or arbitrarily reducing reimbursement rates based solely on the type of professional license held

Eliminates prior authorization and referral requirements for outpatient counseling services, banning any access restrictions that lack a clinical basis

Mandates insurers maintain adequate networks of licensed counseling professionals to ensure reasonable patient access to outpatient services

Applies to all individual and group health policies executed, delivered, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026