AN ACT CONCERNING BENEFITS PAYABLE FOR ASSESSMENTS TO DETERMINE A DIAGNOSIS OF A MENTAL OR NERVOUS CONDITION AND RELATED CONSULTATIONS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 38a-488a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2016):

(a) Each individual health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall provide benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of mental or nervous conditions. For the purposes of this section, "mental or nervous conditions" means mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". "Mental or nervous conditions" does not include (1) intellectual disabilities, (2) specific learning disorders, (3) motor disorders, (4) communication disorders, (5) caffeine-related disorders, (6) relational problems, and (7) other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention, that are not otherwise defined as mental disorders in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", except that coverage for an insured under such policy who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder prior to the release of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" shall be provided in accordance with subsection (b) of section 38a-488b.

(b) No such policy shall establish any terms, conditions or benefits that (1) place a greater financial burden on an insured for access to diagnosis or treatment of mental or nervous conditions than for diagnosis or treatment of medical, surgical or other physical health conditions, or (2) limit the number of visits to assess an insured for a diagnosis of a condition.

(c) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed physician, such benefits shall be payable for the same services when such services are lawfully rendered by a psychologist licensed under the provisions of chapter 383 or by such a licensed psychologist in a licensed hospital or clinic.

(d) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed physician or psychologist, such benefits shall be payable for the same services when such services are rendered by:

(1) A clinical social worker who is licensed under the provisions of chapter 383b and who has passed the clinical examination of the American Association of State Social Work Boards and has completed at least two thousand hours of post-master's social work experience in a nonprofit agency qualifying as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, in a municipal, state or federal agency or in an institution licensed by the Department of Public Health under section 19a-490;

(2) A social worker who was certified as an independent social worker under the provisions of chapter 383b prior to October 1, 1990;

(3) A licensed marital and family therapist who has completed at least two thousand hours of post-master's marriage and family therapy work experience in a nonprofit agency qualifying as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, in a municipal, state or federal agency or in an institution licensed by the Department of Public Health under section 19a-490;

(4) A marital and family therapist who was certified under the provisions of chapter 383a prior to October 1, 1992;

(5) A licensed alcohol and drug counselor, as defined in section 20-74s, or a certified alcohol and drug counselor, as defined in section 20-74s; or

(6) A licensed professional counselor.

(e) For purposes of this section, [the term "covered expenses"] "benefits payable" means the usual, customary and reasonable charges for treatment deemed necessary under generally accepted medical standards, except [that] in the case of a managed care plan, as defined in section 38a-478, ["covered expenses"] "benefits payable" means the payments agreed upon in the contract between a managed care organization, as defined in section 38a-478, and a provider, as defined in section 38a-478.

(f) (1) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed physician, such benefits shall be payable for (A) services rendered in a child guidance clinic or residential treatment facility by a person with a master's degree in social work or by a person with a master's degree in marriage and family therapy under the supervision of a psychiatrist, physician, licensed marital and family therapist, or licensed clinical social worker who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (d) of this section; (B) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (5) of subsection (d) of this section; or (C) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed professional counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (6) of subsection (d) of this section.

(2) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed psychologist under subsection (d) of this section, such benefits shall be payable for (A) services rendered in a child guidance clinic or residential treatment facility by a person with a master's degree in social work or by a person with a master's degree in marriage and family therapy under the supervision of such licensed psychologist, licensed marital and family therapist, or licensed clinical social worker who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (d) of this section; (B) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (5) of subsection (d) of this section; or (C) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed professional counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (6) of subsection (d) of this section.

(g) In the case of benefits payable for the service of a licensed physician practicing as a psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist, under subsection (d) of this section, such benefits shall be payable for outpatient services rendered (1) in a nonprofit community mental health center, as defined by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in a nonprofit licensed adult psychiatric clinic operated by an accredited hospital or in a residential treatment facility; (2) under the supervision of a licensed physician practicing as a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, a licensed marital and family therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor or a licensed professional counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (d) of this section; and (3) within the scope of the license issued to the center or clinic by the Department of Public Health or to the residential treatment facility by the Department of Children and Families.

(h) Except in the case of emergency services or in the case of services for which an individual has been referred by a physician affiliated with a health care center, nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health care center to provide benefits under this section through facilities that are not affiliated with the health care center.

(i) In the case of any person admitted to a state institution or facility administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Public Health, Department of Children and Families or the Department of Developmental Services, the state shall have a lien upon the proceeds of any coverage available to such person or a legally liable relative of such person under the terms of this section, to the extent of the per capita cost of such person's care. Except in the case of emergency services, the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to coverage provided under a managed care plan, as defined in section 38a-478.

(j) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsections (a) to (g), inclusive, of this section, each such policy shall provide benefits for the services of a provider specified in subsection (c) or (d) of this section for any consultation with such provider that includes the insured or a family member of the insured (1) during an assessment for a diagnosis of a condition, and (2) after a diagnosis of a mental or nervous condition has been made.

Sec. 2. Section 38a-514 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2016):

(a) Except as provided in subsection (j) of this section, each group health insurance policy, providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469, delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall provide benefits for the diagnosis and treatment of mental or nervous conditions. For the purposes of this section, "mental or nervous conditions" means mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". "Mental or nervous conditions" does not include (1) intellectual disabilities, (2) specific learning disorders, (3) motor disorders, (4) communication disorders, (5) caffeine-related disorders, (6) relational problems, and (7) other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention, that are not otherwise defined as mental disorders in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", except that coverage for an insured under such policy who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder prior to the release of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" shall be provided in accordance with subsection (i) of section 38a-514b.

(b) No such group policy shall establish any terms, conditions or benefits that (1) place a greater financial burden on an insured for access to diagnosis or treatment of mental or nervous conditions than for diagnosis or treatment of medical, surgical or other physical health conditions, or (2) limit the number of visits to assess an insured for a diagnosis of a condition.

(c) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed physician, such benefits shall be payable for the same services when such services are lawfully rendered by a psychologist licensed under the provisions of chapter 383 or by such a licensed psychologist in a licensed hospital or clinic.

(d) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed physician or psychologist, such benefits shall be payable for the same services when such services are rendered by:

(1) A clinical social worker who is licensed under the provisions of chapter 383b and who has passed the clinical examination of the American Association of State Social Work Boards and has completed at least two thousand hours of post-master's social work experience in a nonprofit agency qualifying as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, in a municipal, state or federal agency or in an institution licensed by the Department of Public Health under section 19a-490;

(2) A social worker who was certified as an independent social worker under the provisions of chapter 383b prior to October 1, 1990;

(3) A licensed marital and family therapist who has completed at least two thousand hours of post-master's marriage and family therapy work experience in a nonprofit agency qualifying as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, in a municipal, state or federal agency or in an institution licensed by the Department of Public Health under section 19a-490;

(4) A marital and family therapist who was certified under the provisions of chapter 383a prior to October 1, 1992;

(5) A licensed alcohol and drug counselor, as defined in section 20-74s, or a certified alcohol and drug counselor, as defined in section 20-74s; or

(6) A licensed professional counselor.

(e) For purposes of this section, [the term "covered expenses"] "benefits payable" means the usual, customary and reasonable charges for treatment deemed necessary under generally accepted medical standards, except [that] in the case of a managed care plan, as defined in section 38a-478, ["covered expenses"] "benefits payable" means the payments agreed upon in the contract between a managed care organization, as defined in section 38a-478, and a provider, as defined in section 38a-478.

(f) (1) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed physician, such benefits shall be payable for (A) services rendered in a child guidance clinic or residential treatment facility by a person with a master's degree in social work or by a person with a master's degree in marriage and family therapy under the supervision of a psychiatrist, physician, licensed marital and family therapist or licensed clinical social worker who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (d) of this section; (B) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (5) of subsection (d) of this section; or (C) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed professional counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (6) of subsection (d) of this section.

(2) In the case of benefits payable for the services of a licensed psychologist under subsection (d) of this section, such benefits shall be payable for (A) services rendered in a child guidance clinic or residential treatment facility by a person with a master's degree in social work or by a person with a master's degree in marriage and family therapy under the supervision of such licensed psychologist, licensed marital and family therapist or licensed clinical social worker who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (d) of this section; (B) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (5) of subsection (d) of this section; or (C) services rendered in a residential treatment facility by a licensed professional counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivision (6) of subsection (d) of this section.

(g) In the case of benefits payable for the service of a licensed physician practicing as a psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist, under subsection (d) of this section, such benefits shall be payable for outpatient services rendered (1) in a nonprofit community mental health center, as defined by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in a nonprofit licensed adult psychiatric clinic operated by an accredited hospital or in a residential treatment facility; (2) under the supervision of a licensed physician practicing as a psychiatrist, a licensed psychologist, a licensed marital and family therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor, or a licensed professional counselor who is eligible for reimbursement under subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of subsection (d) of this section; and (3) within the scope of the license issued to the center or clinic by the Department of Public Health or to the residential treatment facility by the Department of Children and Families.

(h) Except in the case of emergency services or in the case of services for which an individual has been referred by a physician affiliated with a health care center, nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health care center to provide benefits under this section through facilities that are not affiliated with the health care center.

(i) In the case of any person admitted to a state institution or facility administered by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Public Health, Department of Children and Families or the Department of Developmental Services, the state shall have a lien upon the proceeds of any coverage available to such person or a legally liable relative of such person under the terms of this section, to the extent of the per capita cost of such person's care. Except in the case of emergency services the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to coverage provided under a managed care plan, as defined in section 38a-478.

(j) A group health insurance policy may exclude the benefits required by this section if such benefits are included in a separate policy issued to the same group by an insurance company, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or fraternal benefit society. Such separate policy, which shall include the benefits required by this section and the benefits required by section 38a-533, shall not be required to include any other benefits mandated by this title.

(k) In the case of benefits based upon confinement in a residential treatment facility, such benefits shall be payable in situations in which the insured has a serious mental or nervous condition that substantially impairs the insured's thoughts, perception of reality, emotional process or judgment or grossly impairs the behavior of the insured, and, upon an assessment of the insured by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker, cannot appropriately, safely or effectively be treated in an acute care, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient or outpatient setting.

(l) The services rendered for which benefits are to be paid for confinement in a residential treatment facility shall be based on an individual treatment plan. For purposes of this section, the term "individual treatment plan" means a treatment plan prescribed by a physician with specific attainable goals and objectives appropriate to both the patient and the treatment modality of the program.

(m) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsections (a) to (g), inclusive, and subsections (k) and (l) of this section, each such policy shall provide benefits for the services of a provider specified in subsection (c) or (d) of this section for any consultation with such provider that includes the insured or a family member of the insured (1) during an assessment for a diagnosis of a condition, and (2) after a diagnosis of a mental or nervous condition has been made.