Tennessee insurance commissioner urges checking mental health coverage during Mental Health Month

Carter Lawrence, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, urged Tennesseans during Mental Health Month to confirm that their health insurance plans cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment to the same extent as physical health care.

Lawrence said that “health insurance by law must cover mental health services the same way it covers physical health services,” adding that parity includes elements such as copay amounts and the number of days covered for hospital stays. He listed treatments that may be covered, saying, “Other treatments covered may include step therapy, counseling, medication management, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and more.”

Lawrence advised policyholders to contact their health plan using the phone number on the back of their insurance card for details about specific coverage. He also said that if people experience problems with coverage for mental health or substance use treatment, they should file a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance; in the transcript he gave an agency contact as “tdci@tn.govslashinsurance.”

The commissioner framed the remarks as an awareness reminder rather than a policy announcement. No new regulations, enforcement actions, or formal votes were announced during the statement.