MO SB229

Health carriers and health benefit plans delivered, issued, or renewed in Missouri on or after January 1, 2012, must provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, including residential treatment if medically necessary per American Psychiatric Association guidelines.

Health carriers cannot deny eligibility, coverage, or renewal based on eating disorder diagnosis or treatment history, nor can they penalize providers for furnishing compliant care.

Required coverage must include access to psychiatric and medical treatment, nutrition counseling, physical therapy, dietician services, medical monitoring, and psychiatric monitoring as prescribed by health care professionals.

Eating disorders coverage cannot carry higher deductibles or co-payments than other health care services under the plan.

The mandate does not apply to supplemental insurance policies, including Medicare supplements, accident-only policies, life care contracts, or short-term major medical policies of six months or less.