This bill mandates that health insurance carriers in New Jersey provide coverage for the enrollment of students in recovery high school alternative education programs. It amends existing laws to ensure that coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders is provided under the same terms and conditions as other medical benefits. The bill specifies that such coverage must be deemed clinically appropriate by qualified professionals, including certified alcohol and drug counselors and treating physicians, based on criteria defined in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Additionally, the bill reinforces compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, ensuring that mental health and substance use disorder benefits are treated equitably compared to other medical benefits. It includes provisions for coverage of services delivered through the psychiatric Collaborative Care Model, which integrates behavioral health services with primary care. The amendments clarify that existing requirements for insurers to provide benefits as outlined in previous laws will not be reduced. The act is set to take effect 60 days after enactment and will apply to all relevant contracts and policies issued or renewed thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48-6, 17:48A-7, 17:48E-35.20, 17B:26-2.1, 17B:27-46.1, 17B:27A-7.5, 17B:27A-19.7, 26:2J-4.20, 52:14-17.29