Sec. 1. 24 MRSA §2329, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 527, §1, is amended to read:

3. Requirement. Every A nonprofit hospital or medical service organization which that issues individual and group health care contracts providing coverage for hospital care to residents of this State shall provide benefits as required in this section to any subscriber or other person covered under those contracts for the treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependency pursuant to a treatment plan.

Sec. 2. 24 MRSA §2329, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 527, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 24 MRSA §2329, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:

4-A.__Parity coverage.__An individual and group contract must provide, at a minimum, benefits for the treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependency, including benefits for residential treatment and outpatient care, under terms and conditions that are no less extensive than the benefits provided for medical treatment for physical illness.__At the request of a nonprofit hospital or medical service organization, a provider of treatment for alcoholism or other drug dependency shall furnish data substantiating that the initial or continued treatment is medically necessary and appropriate pursuant to a treatment plan.

Sec. 4. 24 MRSA §2329, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1989, c. 490, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 5. 24 MRSA §2329, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 527, §1, is amended to read:

7. Notice. At the time of delivery or renewal, the nonprofit hospital or medical service organization shall provide written notification to all individuals eligible for benefits under individual and group policies or contracts of these the alcoholism and drug dependency benefits provided under this section.

Sec. 6. 24 MRSA §2329, sub-§9, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 527, §1, is amended to read:

9. Reports to superintendent. Every A nonprofit hospital or medical service organization subject to this section shall report its experience for each calendar year beginning with 1984 to the superintendent not later than April 30th of the following year. The report shall must be in a form prescribed by the