| 3.__Mental health services provided by counseling |
professionals.__Except as provided in subsection 1 with regard to |
reimbursement of clinical professional counselors, pastoral |
counselors and marriage and family therapists licensed in this |
State, an insurer that issues individual health care contracts |
providing coverage for mental health services shall offer |
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 master's 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. |