MO HB1733

Health carriers and health benefit plans must provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, including residential treatment, effective January 1, 2011, if medically necessary according to American Psychiatric Association guidelines.

Health carriers are prohibited from denying coverage for eating disorder treatment, denying eligibility based on eating disorder history, providing incentives to limit care, or penalizing providers who deliver eating disorder care in accordance with this section.

Coverage must include psychiatric and medical treatment, nutrition counseling, dietician services, physical therapy, and medical and psychiatric monitoring, with deductibles and co-payments no greater than other health care services.

The Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with other state departments, must provide diagnosis and treatment services for uninsured residents and establish the Missouri Eating Disorder Council to oversee education programs and identify treatment gaps.

State departments must develop health care professional training programs and education initiatives for schools and the general public focusing on eating disorder prevention, identification, and healthy body image.