PUBLIC Law Chapter 65

covered by the policy ~~shall be~~ is entitled to reimbursement for

these services if the services are performed by a physician,; a

psychologist licensed to practice in this State,; a certified

social worker licensed for the independent practice of social work

who has at least a masters degree in social work from an accredited

educational institution, who has been employed in social work for

at least 2 years, and who, after January 1, 1985, must be licensed

as a clinical social worker in this State,; a licensed clinical

professional counselor licensed for the independent practice of

counseling who has at least a masters degree in counseling from an

accredited educational institution, has been employed in counseling

for at least 2 years and, after January 1, 2002, must be licensed

as a clinical professional counselor in this State; or a licensed

nurse certified by the American Nurses' Association as a clinical

specialist in adult or child and adolescent psychiatric and mental

health nursing. ~~With respect to services provided by physicians or~~

~~psychologists, this section applies to all health insurance~~

~~policies, contracts or certificates issued, renewed, modified,~~

~~altered, amended or reissued on or after July 1, 1975.~~ Payment or

reimbursement for services rendered by clinical social workers

licensed in this State ~~shall~~, licensed clinical professional

counselors licensed in this State or licensed nurses certified by

the American Nurses' Association as clinical specialists in adult

or child and adolescent psychiatric and mental health nursing may

not be conditioned upon prior diagnosis or referral by a physician

or other health care professional, except in cases where diagnosis

of the condition for which the services are rendered is beyond the

scope of their licensure.

2. Nothing in subsection 1 may be construed to require a
health insurance policy subject to this chapter to provide for
reimbursement of services ~~which~~ that are within the lawful scope
of practice of a psychologist licensed to practice in this State,
a clinical social worker licensed in this State, a clinical
professional counselor licensed to practice in this State, a
certified social worker licensed to practice in this State, or a
certified nurse licensed to practice in this State.

3. Mental health services provided by counseling
professionals. An Except as provided in subsection 1 with regard
to reimbursement of clinical professional counselors licensed in
this State, an insurer that issues individual health care
contracts providing coverage for mental health services shall
offer coverage for those services when performed by a counseling
professional who is licensed by the State pursuant to Title 32,
chapter 119 to assess and treat interpersonal and intrapersonal
problems, has at least a masters degree in counseling or a
related field from an accredited educational institution and has
been employed as a counselor for at least 2 years. Any contract

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