Connecticut House Bill HB07033

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/19
• Refer: 1/31/19

Caption

An Act Concerning Parity For Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Benefits.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will require significant changes in how insurance providers handle mental health and substance use disorders compared to other medical conditions. One of the key provisions is the prohibition of prior authorization and step therapy for certain prescription drugs associated with mental health and substance use treatment. This change aims to reduce the barriers that patients may face in accessing necessary medications and streamline the process of obtaining treatment.

Summary

House Bill 07033 aims to enhance mental health and substance use disorder benefits by ensuring parity in coverage between these services and other health benefits provided by insurance carriers in Connecticut. The bill mandates that all health insurance providers submit an annual report demonstrating compliance with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This move is intended to enforce transparency and accountability on the part of health carriers regarding their mental health and substance use treatment offerings.

Contention

While the bill is largely viewed as a progressive step toward ensuring equitable access to mental health resources, there may be points of contention related to the financial implications for insurance companies. Opponents may argue about the potential increased costs of compliance and whether these costs could lead to higher premiums for consumers. Therefore, the discussion surrounding the bill may involve balancing the need for better mental health coverage with the economic realities of insurance provision and premium sustainability.