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Fast Facts H.B. 33 MENTAL HEALTH PARITY What is House Bill 33?H.B. 33 prohibits discrimination in health insurance coverage of mental health conditions, substance abuse, and addiction.Specifically, the bill requires each individual or group health insurance policy or plan to provide benefits for the treatment and diagnosis of mental health conditions, substance abuse and addiction in the same manner benefits are provided under the policy for other physical diseases and disorders. It is especially logical to provide equal coverage for mental illnesses, many of which have physical causes. This requirement applies to all coverage, terms, and conditions of theses policies and plans, including coverage of inpatient hospital services, medications, maximum lifetime benefits, co-payments, and individual and family deductibles. It would not apply to Medicaid beneficiaries or Workers Compensation claimants. Ohio is considering this coverage. More than 32 other states have enacted equal coverage for mental health conditions, including Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Management by insurance companies and employersInsurance companies and employers are specifically allowed to negotiate with mental health care providers, to offer policies or plans that provide policies solely for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, and to manage benefits through preadmission screening, requiring prior authorization for treatment, or to limit coverage to treatment determined to be necessary.Action to dateOn February 3, 2003, Representative Lynn Olman introduced the Mental Health Parity bill for the second time. The bill kept the same number as the bill that was almost voted out of the House Committee that considered it last session.DD Council supports H.B. 33 because it prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities.For more information, contact: 3/6/03
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