(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 insurer, a provider of medical treatment for mental illness shall furnish data substantiating that initial or continued treatment is medically necessary and appropriate health care. When making the determination of whether treatment is medically necessary and appropriate health care, the provider shall use the same criteria for medical treatment for mental illness as for medical treatment for physical illness under the individual policy.

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

Sec. VV-9. 24-A MRSA §2749-C, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 407, §5, is amended to read:

2. Contracts; providers. Subject to approval by the superintendent pursuant to section 2305, an An insurer incorporated under this chapter shall offer contracts to providers authorizing the provision of mental health services within the scope of the provider's licensure.

Sec. VV-10. 24-A MRSA §2843, sub-§3, ¶¶A-1 and A-2 are enacted to read:

A-1.__"Diagnostic and statistical manual" means the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

A-2.__"Home health care services" means those services rendered by a licensed provider of mental health services to provide medically necessary health care to a person