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Senate committee approves bill to require parity for annual mental‑health wellness exams
Summary
The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee voted to pass House Bill 1290, which would require insurers that cover an annual physical to also cover a once‑a‑year mental‑health wellness exam. The bill passed on a voice vote after sponsors said an amendment removed a premium impact and the Employee Benefits Division outlined cost‑sharing details.
The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee advanced House Bill 1290, sponsored by State Senator Justin Boyd, which would require insurers that pay for an annual physical to provide parity by covering one annual mental‑health wellness exam.
Advocates and the bill sponsor framed the measure as a parity change. “What this bill does is it seeks to create parity between a mental health exam and a physical health exam,” Sen. Justin Boyd said when he introduced the bill.
The bill was amended before the committee; senators and staff said the amendment removed an anticipated effect on premiums. Grant Wallace, director of the Employee Benefits Division (EBD), told committee members that the amendment eliminated the…
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