LD 27
pg. 4
Page 3 of 4 PUBLIC Law Chapter 214 LD 27 Title Page
Download Chapter Text
LR 269
Item 1

 
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.
Payment or reimbursement for services rendered by clinical social
workers licensed in this State, licensed clinical professional
counselors licensed in this State, licensed pastoral 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 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 in this State, a licensed
pastoral counselor licensed in this State, a certified social
worker licensed to practice in this State, or a nurse certified
and licensed to practice in this State.

 
3. Mental health services provided by counseling
professionals. Except as provided in subsection 1 with regard to
reimbursement of clinical professional counselors and pastoral
counselors 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. This Act applies 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.


Page 3 of 4 Top of Page LD 27 Title Page
Related Pages
  Search Bill Text Legislative Information
Bill Directory Search
Bill
Status
Session Information
119th Legislature Bills Maine Legislature

Office of Legislative Information
100 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
voice: (207) 287-1692
fax: (207) 287-1580
tty: (207) 287-6826
Word Viewer for Windows Disclaimer