(5) Panic disorder;

(6) Obsessive-compulsive disorder; or

(7) Major depressive disorder.

B. All individual and group policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after July 1, 1996 must make available coverage providing 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 offer of coverage 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 individual or group contract.

This subsection may not be construed to allow coverage and benefits for the treatment of alcoholism and other drug dependencies through the diagnosis of a mental illness listed in paragraph A.

Sec. VV-22. 24-A MRSA §4234-A, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 407, §10, is amended to read:

8. Contracts; providers. Subject to approval by the superintendent pursuant to section 4204, a health maintenance organization incorporated under this chapter shall allow providers, including those listed in subsection 8-A or sections 2744 or 2835, subsection 1, to contract, subject to the health maintenance organization's credentialling policy, for the provision of mental health services within the scope of the provider's licensure.