Sec. 14.8. (a) As used in this section, "coverage of services for a mental illness" includes the services defined under the contract with the health maintenance organization. However, the term does not include services for the treatment of substance abuse or chemical dependency.

(b) This section applies to a group or individual contract with a health maintenance organization that:

(1) is issued, entered into, or renewed after December 31, 1999; and

(2) is issued to an employer that employs more than fifty (50) full-time employees.

(c) This section does not apply to a legal business entity that has obtained an exemption under IC 27-8-5-15.7.

(d) A group or individual contract with a health maintenance organization may not permit treatment limitations or financial requirements on the coverage of services for a mental illness if similar limitations or requirements are not imposed on the coverage of services for other medical or surgical conditions.

(e) A health maintenance organization that enters into an individual contract or a group contract that provides coverage of services for the treatment of substance abuse and chemical dependency when the services are required in the treatment of a mental illness shall offer to provide the coverage without treatment limitations or financial requirements if similar limitations or requirements are not imposed on the coverage of services for other medical or surgical conditions.

(f) This section does not require a group or individual contract with a health maintenance organization to offer mental health benefits.

As added by P.L.42-1997, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.81-1999, SEC.5; P.L.226-2003, SEC.2.