Texas House Bill HB1121

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to group health benefit plan coverage for certain mental illnesses.

Impact

The impact of HB1121 is anticipated to be significant in promoting mental health care accessibility across Texas. By mandating that group health plans provide coverage for serious mental illnesses similarly to physical conditions, it seeks to lower barriers for individuals requiring treatment. This aligns with broader goals of improving mental health care infrastructure and fostering a more supportive environment for individuals struggling with mental health issues. The change mandates that the treatments provided are at least as favorable as those for physical health, which may optimize patient outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 1121 focuses on enhancing group health benefit plan coverage specifically for serious mental illnesses. The bill aims to ensure that insurance plans provide equal treatment and coverage for mental health issues as they would for physical health conditions. This includes stipulations for minimum inpatient and outpatient treatment days and prohibits insurers from placing annual or lifetime limits on such coverage. The bill’s intent is to rectify disparities in mental health treatment compared to physical health care under group health benefit plans.

Contention

There may be contention surrounding the implementation of HB1121, particularly regarding how insurers will comply with these requirements. Concerns have been raised about the potential increase in costs for insurance providers and the viability of maintaining these standards amid varying financial landscapes. Furthermore, the effectiveness of enforced parity in mental health treatment may be tested, raising questions about enforcement and oversight by state regulators. Stakeholders may debate the adequacy of these measures in addressing the broad spectrum of mental health needs in the community.