The bill amends Section 27-38.2-1 of the General Laws regarding insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. It mandates that health insurers provide coverage for these treatments under the same terms as other medical conditions, prohibiting any annual or lifetime dollar limitations. Additionally, it establishes that financial requirements and treatment limitations must be no more restrictive than those applied to other medical conditions, and it outlines specific classifications for coverage, including inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, and prescription drugs.

A significant addition to the law is the prohibition of prior authorization requirements for in-network inpatient and outpatient mental health or substance use disorder services. The bill also requires the office of the health insurance commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this provision, including the imposition of fines for violations. This act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
5432: 27-38.2-1
5432  SUB A: 27-38.2-1