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chapter 119 to assess and treat interpersonal and intrapersonal | | problems, has at least a master's 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 contracts executed, | | delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State | | on or after January 1, 1997.__For purposes of this subsection, all | | contracts are deemed renewed no later than the next yearly | | anniversary of the contract date. |
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| | | Sec. A-40. 24-A MRSA §2835, as amended by PL 2005, c. 121, Pt. I, | | §§3 to 5 and c. 213, §2 and affected by §3 and amended by c. 214, | | §1 and affected by §3, is repealed and the following enacted in | | its place: |
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| | | §2835.__Mental health services |
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| | | 1.__Notwithstanding any provision of a health insurance policy | | or certificate issued under a group policy subject to this | | chapter, whenever the policy provides for payment or | | reimbursement for services that are within the lawful scope of | | practice of a professional listed in subsection 2-A, any person | | covered by the policy is entitled to reimbursement for these | | services if the services are performed by a physician or a | | professional listed in subsection 2-A.__Payment or reimbursement | | for services rendered by a professional listed in subsection 2-A, | | paragraph B, C, D, E or F may not be conditioned upon prior | | diagnosis or referral by a physician or other health care | | professional, except when diagnosis of the condition for which | | the services are rendered is beyond the scope of their licensure. |
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| | | 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 professional listed in subsection 2-A. |
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| | | 2-A. Subsections 1 and 2 apply with respect to the following | | types of professionals: |
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| | | A.__A psychologist licensed to practice in this State; |
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| | | B.__A certified social worker licensed for the independent | | practice of social work in this State; |
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| | | C.__A licensed clinical professional counselor licensed for | | the independent practice of counseling in this State; |
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