NY A11145

Prohibits insurers from applying fail-first or step therapy protocols to mental health condition coverage under individual policies, group policies, and HMO contracts.

Requires mental health drug coverage to be included in outpatient care benefits and prohibits more restrictive financial requirements or treatment limitations on mental health benefits than those applied to medical and surgical benefits.

Removes fail-first or step therapy protocols from the definition of "treatment limitation" in mental health parity provisions across three sections of the Insurance Law (sections 3216, 3221, and 4303).

Applies to all policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after the effective date.