(11)__Substance abuse-related disorders.

B. All policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after July 1, 1996 must provide benefits that meet the requirements of this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, all contracts are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

(1) The contracts must provide benefits for the treatment and diagnosis of mental illnesses under terms and conditions that are no less extensive than the benefits provided for medical treatment for physical illnesses.

(2) At the request of a reimbursing health maintenance organization, a provider of medical or psychiatric treatment for mental illness shall furnish data substantiating that initial or continued treatment is medically or psychiatrically necessary and appropriate. When making the determination of whether treatment is medically or psychiatrically necessary and appropriate, the provider shall use the same criteria for medical or psychiatric treatment for mental illness as for medical treatment for physical illness under the group contract.

(3) If benefits and coverage for the treatment of physical illness are provided on an expense-incurred basis, the benefits and coverage required under this subsection may be delivered separately under a managed care system.

(4)__A policy or contract may not have separate maximums for physical illness and mental illness, separate deductibles and coinsurance amounts for physical illness and mental illness, separate out-of- pocket limits in a benefit period of not more than 12 months for physical illness and mental illness or separate office visitation limits for physical illness and mental illness.

(5)__A health benefit plan may not impose a limitation on coverage or benefits for mental illness unless that same limitation is also imposed on the coverage and benefits for physical illness covered under the policy or contract.