2.__Mandated benefit.__All group insurance policies and contracts must provide, at a minimum, benefits according to subsection 3, for a person receiving treatment for pervasive developmental disorder, or autism, diagnosed by a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician.__This subsection does not apply to policies, contracts and certificates covering employees of employers with fewer than 20 employees, whether the group policy is issued to the employer, to an association, to a multiple-employer trust or to another entity.

3.__Minimum benefits.__The contracts must provide benefits for the treatment and diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder, or autism, under terms and conditions that are no less extensive than the benefits provided for medical treatment for physical illnesses.__At the request of a reimbursing insurer, a provider of medical treatment for pervasive developmental disorder, or autism, shall furnish data substantiating that initial or continued treatment is medically necessary and appropriate.__When making the determination of whether treatment is medically necessary and appropriate, the provider shall use the same criteria for medical treatment for pervasive developmental disorder, or autism, as for medical treatment for physical illness under the contract.

Sec. 9. 24-A MRSA §4234-A, sub-§6, ķA, as amended by PL 1995, c. 637, §6, is further amended to read:

A. All group contracts must provide, at a minimum, benefits according to paragraph B, subparagraph (1) for a person receiving medical treatment for any of the following mental illnesses diagnosed by a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician or a licensed psychologist who is trained and has received a doctorate in psychology specializing in the evaluation and treatment of human behavior:

(1) Schizophrenia;

(2) Bipolar disorder;

(3) Pervasive developmental disorder, or autism;

(4) Paranoia;

(5) Panic disorder;