MO HB420

Requires all health carriers and health benefit plans delivered, issued, or renewed in Missouri on or after January 1, 2012, to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.

Prohibits health carriers from denying eligibility based on avoiding eating disorder coverage requirements, denying treatment coverage if medically necessary per American Psychiatric Association guidelines, or denying renewal based on prior eating disorder diagnosis or treatment.

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

Exempts supplemental insurance policies including life care contracts, accident-only policies, specified disease policies, Medicare supplements, and short-term major medical policies of six months or less.

Directs the Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Social Services, to provide eating disorder diagnosis and treatment services for uninsured or underinsured Missouri residents through specialty units, private facilities, and state-operated facilities with licensed eating disorder specialists.