Connecticut General Statutes 38a-488e – Coverage for mental health wellness examinations
(a) For the purposes of this section:
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 38a-488e
- Insurance: means any agreement to pay a sum of money, provide services or any other thing of value on the happening of a particular event or contingency or to provide indemnity for loss in respect to a specified subject by specified perils in return for a consideration. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
- Person: means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a business trust, an unincorporated organization or other legal entity. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
- Policy: means any document, including attached endorsements and riders, purporting to be an enforceable contract, which memorializes in writing some or all of the terms of an insurance contract. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
- State: means any state, district, or territory of the United States. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
- United States: means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. See Connecticut General Statutes 38a-1
(1) “Licensed mental health professional” means: (A) A licensed professional counselor or professional counselor, both as defined in § 20-195aa; (B) a person who is under professional supervision, as defined in § 20-195aa; (C) a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370, who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; (D) an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378, who is certified as a psychiatric and mental health clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center; (E) a psychologist licensed pursuant to chapter 383; (F) a marital and family therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 383a; (G) a licensed clinical social worker licensed pursuant to chapter 383b; or (H) an alcohol and drug counselor licensed under chapter 376b;
(2) “Mental health wellness examination” means a screening or assessment that seeks to identify any behavioral or mental health needs and appropriate resources for treatment. The examination may include: (A) Observation; (B) a behavioral health screening; (C) education and consultation on healthy lifestyle changes; (D) referrals to ongoing treatment, mental health services and other necessary supports; (E) discussion of potential options for medication; (F) age-appropriate screenings or observations to understand the mental health history, personal history and mental or cognitive state of the person being examined; and (G) if appropriate, relevant input from an adult through screenings, interviews or questions;
(3) “Primary care provider” has the same meaning as provided in § 19a-7o; and
(4) “Primary care” has the same meaning as provided in § 19a-7o.
(b) (1) Each individual health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of § 38a-469 and delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state on or after January 1, 2023, (A) shall provide coverage for two mental health wellness examinations per year that are performed by a licensed mental health professional or primary care provider, and (B) shall not require prior authorization of such examinations.
(2) The mental health wellness examinations: (A) May each be provided by a primary care provider as part of a preventive visit; and (B) shall be covered with no patient cost-sharing.
(c) The provisions of this section shall apply to a high deductible health plan, as that term is used in subsection (f) of § 38a-493, to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, except if such plan is used to establish a medical savings account or an Archer MSA pursuant to Section 220 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any subsequent corresponding Internal Revenue Code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or a health savings account pursuant to Section 223 of said Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, the provisions of this section shall apply to such plan to the maximum extent that (1) is permitted by federal law, and (2) does not disqualify such account for the deduction allowed under said Section 220 or 223, as applicable.