Health insurance; coverage for therapeutic day treatment services.
If enacted, this bill will require insurers, health maintenance organizations, and subscription contracts providing health care services to include these specialized treatment services in their insurance coverage. Effective from January 1, 2025, any policy or plan issued after this date must comply with this requirement, ensuring that children needing these services have access regardless of their family's financial ability to pay out of pocket for treatments.
House Bill 864 mandates that certain insurance plans provide coverage for therapeutic day treatment services aimed at children with serious emotional disturbances. The legislation defines 'serious emotional disturbance' as a mental health condition in children that results in significant functional limitations due to emotional challenges over the past year. The bill outlines specific types of therapeutic day treatment services, which include psychotherapeutic interventions along with educational components and counseling to support these children.
There may be points of contention surrounding HB864, particularly regarding the financial implications for insurance providers and how this coverage requirement might influence premium rates. Opponents of the bill might argue that mandating coverage for therapeutic day treatments could lead to increased costs for insurers, which could eventually be passed down to consumers through higher premiums. Additionally, there might be questions regarding how these services will be regulated and monitored to ensure quality care for children experiencing serious emotional disturbances.