Budget Amendment ID: FY2014-S3-540-R1

Redraft EHS 540

Mental Health Parity

Mr. Keenan and Ms. Clark and Ms. Lovely and Messrs. Eldridge, Donnelly and Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended By inserting after Section ___ the following new section:

SECTION X. The Division of Insurance and the Office of Medicaid, pursuant to sections 254 and 265 of Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012, shall implement regulations by October 1, 2013 that will include (1) a process for carriers and the Office of Medicaid’s programs to certify and specifically outline how their plans are compliant with the applicable federal and state mental health parity laws; (2) a requirement that carriers notify consumers of their rights under the applicable federal and state parity laws including their right to file a complaint/grievance with the state alleging noncompliance and the avenues to file such a complaint; and (3) details on how the Division of Insurance and the Office of Medicaid will review consumer complaints and grievances alleging carrier noncompliance with applicable federal and state mental health parity laws, including timelines.