Sec. 15.6. (a) As used in this section, "coverage of services for a mental illness" includes the services defined under the policy of accident and sickness insurance. However, the term does not include services for the treatment of substance abuse or chemical dependency.

(b) This section applies to a policy of accident and sickness insurance that:

(1) is issued on an individual basis or a group basis;

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

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

(c) This section does not apply to the following:

(1) A legal business entity that has obtained an exemption under section 15.7 of this chapter.

(2) Accident only, credit, dental, vision, Medicare supplement, long term care, or disability income insurance.

(3) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance.

(4) Worker's compensation or similar insurance.

(5) Automobile medical payment insurance.

(6) A specified disease policy.

(7) A short term insurance plan that:

(A) may be renewed for the greater of:

(i) thirty-six (36) months; or

(ii) the maximum period permitted under federal law;

(B) has a term of not more than three hundred sixty-four (364) days; and

(C) has an annual limit of at least two million dollars ($2,000,000).

(8) A policy that provides indemnity benefits not based on any expense incurred requirement, including a plan that provides coverage for:

(A) hospital confinement, critical illness, or intensive care; or

(B) gaps for deductibles or copayments.

(9) A supplemental plan that always pays in addition to other coverage.

(10) A student health plan.

(11) An employer sponsored health benefit plan that is:

(A) provided to individuals who are eligible for Medicare; and

(B) not marketed as, or held out to be, a Medicare supplement policy.

(d) A group or individual insurance policy or agreement 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) An insurer that issues a policy of accident and sickness insurance 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 insurance policy or agreement to offer mental health benefits.

(g) The benefits delivered under this section may be delivered under a managed care system.

As added by P.L.42-1997, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.81-1999, SEC.3; P.L.226-2003, SEC.1; P.L.173-2007, SEC.24; P.L.288-2019, SEC.3.