NJ S3098

Acute care general hospitals in New Jersey must offer psychological and psychiatric evaluations to patients being treated for drug overdoses before discharge.

All health insurance carriers must cover these evaluations, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, individual and group health insurers, and HMOs.

Coverage requirements extend to the State Health Benefits Program and School Employees' Health Benefits Program contracts.

Benefits for these evaluations must be provided to the same extent as coverage for any other medical condition under the policy or contract.

The bill takes effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment and applies to all health benefits plans issued or renewed after the effective date.