California House Bill Mandates Mental Health for Medical InsuranceMarch 2008
The House of Representatives passed a bill this week that would require
medical insurance companies to cover treatments for addiction and mental conditions the same way they provide for physical illnesses. Unfortunately, that same bill seems to be interfering with a California health insurance mandate that already sought to do the same thing.
The bill, which was approved 268-148, would open up coverage to include virtually every type of mental illness.
But mental health advocates are arguing that though the legislation is well-intentioned, it could a have a very negative impact on California health insurance by overriding laws where major mental illnesses were already covered. Because the federal bill would not force all medical insurance plans to cover mental health, as they are required to do in California, such a law could raise rates and cause employers to drop all mental health coverage.
This is especially possible when the bill does not mandate mental health coverage for all companies, and exempts group health plans with fewer than 50 employees.
California health insurance is among the more than 25 state medical insurance plans that have laws that mandate mental health coverage. California's law requires coverage of nine serious conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, eating disorders and serious emotional disturbances in children and adolescents.
Facts on:
Mental Health Insurance
Did you know...
More than 25 states offer medical insurance plans that mandate mental health coverage?
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Supporters of the federal bill argue it would cover more mental health issues, including substance abuse problems.
How the two laws will interact with one another hasn't been established yet, but for those who are searching for a
California health insurance plan that includes mental health coverage, it's best to take advantage of such services while they are clearly available. Having medical insurance that covers varying forms of illness and treatment is the best way to stay happy and healthy, in body and in mind.
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