Researcher: MK Page 1 5/17/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6643 (as amended by House "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FOR
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENTS
CONDUCTED AT SCHOOL -BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE PROVISION OF MENTAL
HEALTH WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS.
SUMMARY
This bill eliminates the requirement that commercial health insurance
policies cover mental health wellness examinations by a primary care
provider. The bill maintains existing law’s requirement that the policies
cover the examinations when performed by a licensed mental health
professional.
*House Amendment “A” removes the provision in the underlying
bill that would have required the Department of Social Services
commissioner to provide Medicaid reimbursement, to the extent
allowed under federal law, for suicide risk assessments and other
mental health evaluations and services provided at school-based health
centers or public schools.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
INSURANCE COVERAGE F OR MENTAL HEALTH WEL LNESS
EXAMINATIONS
By law, certain individual and group health insurance policies must
cover two mental health wellness examinations a year. Under current
law, the examinations may be done by a licensed mental health
professional or primary care provider and must be covered without
preauthorization or patient cost sharing. The bill eliminates the option
for a primary care provider to do the examinations.
The bill applies to individual and group health insurance policies 2023HB-06643-R01-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MK Page 2 5/17/23
delivered, issued, renewed, amended, or continued in Connecticut that
cover (1) basic hospital expenses; (2) basic medical-surgical expenses; (3)
major medical expenses; or (4) hospital or medical services, including
those provided under an HMO plan.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Committee on Children
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 17 Nay 2 (03/03/2023)
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 20 Nay 1 (04/17/2023)