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3/7/2018
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Sen. Seveney bill would include behavioral counseling as a primary care visit in health insurance plans
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 STATE HOUSE — Sen. James A. Seveney (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton) has introduced legislation that would require health insurers to include behavioral health counseling as a primary care visit.
Under the provisions of the bill (2018-S 2540) behavioral health counseling visits and medication maintenance visits would be included as primary care visits for patient cost-sharing requirements under the provisions of a health plan.
“There are certain constraints on the health care system when it comes to mental health,” said Senator Seveney. “This legislation looks to improve mental illness prevention and intervention by ensuring parity of cost sharing as it pertains to behavioral counseling visits.”
The legislation would also require the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner to include in an annual report to the governor and General Assembly recommendations to ensure the health insurance coverage of behavioral health care under the same terms and conditions as other health care, and to integrate behavioral health parity requirements into the insurance oversight and health care transformation efforts.
“By making sure the foundation of mental health care is a solid one, we can build upon it to improve the health care needs of all Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Seveney. “This is an important step in better integrating behavioral health and primary care.”
The legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, Little Compton) and Jeanine C. Calkin (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. Similar legislation (2018-H 7806) has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence).
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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