3. Mental health services provided by counseling professionals. Except as provided in subsection 1 with regard to reimbursement of clinical professional counselors and marriage and family therapists licensed in this State, an insurer that issues group health care contracts providing coverage for mental health services shall make available 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 providing coverage for the services of counseling professionals pursuant to this section may be subject to any reasonable limitations, maximum benefits, coinsurance, deductibles or exclusion provisions applicable to overall benefits under the contract. This subsection applies to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this subsection, all contracts are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

Sec. 3. Application. The requirements of this Act apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2006. For purposes of this Act, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that all health care plans reimburse for mental health services provided by licensed marriage and family therapists. The bill applies to all policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2006.