(a) As used in this Section, the term:
(1) Mental illness has the same meaning as defined in ‘86102 of Title 10 of the Guam Code Annotated; and

(2) Chemical dependency has the same meaning as defined in Substance-Related Disorders, a diagnosis found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV, or any subsequent edition of this manual.

(b) No insurance company licensed on Guam shall, solely because an individual to be insured has or had a mental illness or chemical dependency:

(1) refuse to issue or deliver to that individual any policy that affords benefits or coverages for any medical treatment or service for physical illness or injury;

(2) have a higher premium rate or charge for physical illness or injury coverages or benefits for that individual; or

(3) reduce physical illness or injury coverages or benefits for that individual.

(c) Every insurer that writes a policy or contract of group or blanket health insurance or group or blanket accident and health insurance that is issued, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 1999, shall provide to its insureds benefits for the necessary care and treatment of mental illness that are not less favorable than benefits for physical illness generally. Benefits for treatment of mental illness shall be subject to the same durational limits, dollar limits, deductibles and coinsurance factors as are benefits for physical illness generally.

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COL120106

COL120106