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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 977 FILED ON: 1/15/2013 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 836
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _________________ PRESENTED BY: Ruth B. Balser _______________ To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying: An Act requiring mental health parity for disability policies. _______________ PETITION OF:
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 977 FILED ON: 1/15/2013 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 836
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
An Act requiring mental health parity for disability policies. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: SECTION 1. Section 108 of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following:- "13. No individual policy of short-term or long-term disability insurance providing income replacement benefits that is issued or renewed in the Commonwealth shall impose benefit limitations or exclusions upon claimants affected by behavioral health disorders, where such limitations or exclusions are not imposed equally upon claimants affected by physical disorders." SECTION 2. Section 110 of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:- "(Q) No certificate of coverage under a group policy of short-term or long-term disability insurance providing income replacement benefits that is issued or renewed in the Commonwealth shall impose benefit limitations or exclusions upon claimants affected by behavioral health disorders, where such limitations or exclusions are not imposed equally upon claimants affected by physical disorders." SECTION 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit periodic medical exams or other procedures reasonably calculated to determine whether or not a disability exists, or continues to exist; provided said examinations, procedures or protocols are comparable and no more frequent or onerous that those required for disabilities caused by physical disorders. |