Sec. 25. Application. The requirements of this Act apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after the effective date of this Act. For purposes of this Act, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

SUMMARY

This bill requires parity coverage for mental illnesses for all health benefit plans covering groups of 21 or more. The bill expands the coverage of mental illness to include 11 categories of mental illness as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, as periodically revised, and allows that coverage to be delivered as a carve out under a managed care system. The bill requires coverage for residential treatment services and home support services. The provisions apply to all policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after the effective date of this bill. The bill makes no change to the mandated offer of parity requirement for individual plans and group plans covering fewer than 20 persons under current law.