2. Nothing in subsection 1 may be construed to require a health insurance policy subject to this chapter to provide for reimbursement of services which that are within the lawful scope of practice of a psychologist licensed to practice in this State, a clinical social worker licensed in this State, a clinical professional counselor licensed in this State, a certified social worker licensed to practice in this State, or a nurse certified and licensed to practice in this State.

3. Mental health services provided by counseling professionals. An Except as provided in subsection 1 with regard to reimbursement of clinical professional counselors licensed in this State, an insurer that issues group health care contracts providing coverage for mental health services shall make available coverage for those services when performed by a counseling professional who is licensed by the State pursuant to Title 32, chapter 119 to assess and treat interpersonal and intrapersonal problems, has at least a masters degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited educational institution and has been employed as a counselor for at least 2 years. Any contract providing coverage for the services of counseling professionals pursuant to this section may be subject to any reasonable limitations, maximum benefits, coinsurance, deductibles or exclusion provisions applicable to overall benefits under the contract. This subsection applies to all contracts executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 1997. For purposes of this subsection, all contracts are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

Sec. 3. 24-A MRSA §4234-A, sub-§8, as amended by PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. VV, §22 and affected by §25, is further amended to read:

8. Contracts; providers. A health maintenance organization incorporated under this chapter shall allow