1998 Legislation
Print Friendly

HOUSE BILL NO. 609 – Biologically based mental illness

HOUSE BILL NO. 609

View Daily Data Tracking History

View Bill Text

View Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



Text to be added within a bill has been marked with Bold and
Underline. Text to be removed has been marked with
Strikethrough and Italic. How these codes are actually displayed will
vary based on the browser software you are using.

This sentence is marked with bold and underline to show added text.

This sentence is marked with strikethrough and italic, indicating
text to be removed.

Daily Data Tracking History



H0609...........................................................by BUSINESS
BIOLOGICALLY BASED MENTAL ILLNESS - Adds to existing law to provide for
insurance benefits for biologically based mental illness, to define
biologically based mental illness, to define mental illness and to provide
application of the act.

02/04    House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/05    Rpt prt - to Bus

Bill Text


H0609


                                                                        
 ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
Fifty-fourth Legislature                 Second Regular Session - 1998
                                                                        

                             IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 609

                                  BY BUSINESS COMMITTEE

 1                                        AN ACT
 2    RELATING TO INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR BIOLOGICALLY BASED MENTAL ILLNESS; AMENDING
 3        CHAPTER 18, TITLE 41, IDAHO  CODE,  BY  THE  ADDITION  OF  A  NEW  SECTION
 4        41-1843, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR MENTAL ILLNESS,
 5        TO DEFINE "BIOLOGICALLY BASED MENTAL ILLNESS" AND TO DEFINE "MENTAL HEALTH
 6        PROFESSIONAL"; AND TO PROVIDE APPLICATION OF THIS ACT TO CONTRACTS, AGREE-
 7        MENTS, POLICIES AND CERTIFICATES EXECUTED, DELIVERED, ISSUED FOR DELIVERY,
 8        CONTINUED  OR RENEWED IN THIS STATE ON AND AFTER JULY 1, 1998, AND TO PRO-
 9        VIDE WHEN RENEWAL OCCURS.

10    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

11        SECTION 1.  That Chapter 18, Title 41, Idaho Code, be,  and  the  same  is
12    hereby  amended  by  the addition thereto of a  NEW SECTION , to be
13    known and designated as Section 41-1843, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

14        41-1843.  BENEFITS FOR BIOLOGICALLY BASED MENTAL ILLNESS -- DEFINITION  --
15    REQUIREMENT.  For  the purposes of chapters 21, 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 40, 47 and
16    52 of this title and notwithstanding any other provision of law,  cost-sharing
17    requirement,  benefit or service limitation for outpatient or inpatient mental
18    health services under any contract, agreement, policy or certificate providing
19    for reimbursement or payment to an insurance subscriber, policyholder, insured
20    or certificate holder or to any other person for medical  goods  or  services,
21    reimbursement or payment shall be provided under any contract, agreement, pol-
22    icy  or  certificate  for  diagnosis  and treatment by a licensed physician or
23    licensed mental health professional for a biologically  based  mental  illness
24    that  is  no  less  extensive  than the benefits provided for treatment of any
25    other physical illness.
26        For purposes of this section, "biologically based mental illness" means  a
27    person  with  a  DSM diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders,
28    bipolar disorders, major depressive disorders, pervasive developmental  disor-
29    ders, obssessive-compulsive disorders or panic disorders.
30        For purposes of this section "mental health professional" means a licensed
31    physician or a person licensed by the state of Idaho for the independent clin-
32    ical practice of social work, counseling, nursing, psychology or psychiatry.

33        SECTION  2.  APPLICATION. Except as otherwise provided the requirements of
34    Section 41-1843, Idaho Code, apply to all contracts, agreements, policies  and
35    certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in
36    this  state on and after July 1, 1998. For purposes of this act all contracts,
37    agreements, policies and certificates are deemed renewed  no  later  than  the
38    next  yearly  anniversary  of  the  contract, agreement, policy or certificate
39    date.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


    





                           STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
                                 RS 07710
                                     
    
    This proposed legislation defines "biologically based mental 
    illness" and "mental health professional" and provides for 
    insurance benefits for mental illness.
    
                                FISCAL NOTE
    
    The only fiscal impact to the State of Idaho would be related 
    to the anticipated modest increase in health insurance 
    premium costs to provide parity benefits to state employees.
    
    Contact: Rep. Bill Deal (208) 332-1000
             Rep. Bruce Newcomb (208) 332-1000
             
    
    STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL 
    NOTE
    
    H 609