GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2015
SENATE BILL 676
RATIFIED BILL
AN ACT TO provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 58‑3‑220 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑3‑220. Mental illness benefits coverage.
(a) Mental Health Equity
Requirement. – Except as provided in subsection (b), an insurer shall provide
in each group health benefit plan benefits for the necessary care and treatment
of mental illnesses that are no less favorable than benefits for physical
illness generally, including application of the same limits. For purposes of
this subsection, mental illnesses are as diagnosed and defined in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV, DSM‑5,
or a subsequent edition published by the American Psychiatric Association,
except those mental disorders coded in the DSM‑IV DSM‑5 or
subsequent edition as autism spectrum disorder (299.00), substance‑related
disorders (291.0 through 292.2 and 303.0 through 305.9), those coded as sexual
dysfunctions not due to organic disease (302.70 through 302.79), and those
coded as "V" codes. For purposes of this subsection, "limits"
includes deductibles, coinsurance factors, co‑payments, maximum out‑of‑pocket
limits, annual and lifetime dollar limits, and any other dollar limits or fees
for covered services.
(b) Minimum Required
Benefits. – Except as provided in subsection (c), a group health benefit plan
may apply durational limits to mental illnesses that differ from durational
limits that apply to physical illnesses. A group health benefit plan shall
provide at least the following minimum number of office visits and combined
inpatient and outpatient days for all mental illnesses and disorders not listed
in subsection (c), as diagnosed and defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV, DSM‑5, or a
subsequent edition published by the American Psychiatric Association, except
those mental disorders coded in the DSM‑IV DSM‑5 or
subsequent edition as autism spectrum disorder (299.00), substance‑related
disorders (291.0 through 292.2 and 303.0 through 305.9), those coded as sexual
dysfunctions not due to organic disease (302.70 through 302.79), and those
coded as "V" codes:
(1) Thirty combined inpatient and outpatient days per year.
(2) Thirty office visits per year.
…
(h) Definitions. – As used in this section:
(1) "Health benefit plan" has the same meaning as in G.S. 58‑3‑167.
(2) "Insurer" has the same meaning as in G.S. 58‑3‑167.
(3) "Mental illness"
has the same meaning as in G.S. 122C‑3(21), with a mental disorder
defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV,
DSM‑5, or subsequent editions published by the American
Psychiatric Association, except those mental disorders coded in the DSM‑IV
DSM‑5 or subsequent editions as autism spectrum disorder
(299.00), substance‑related disorders (291.0 through 292.9 and 303.0
through 305.9), those coded as sexual dysfunctions not due to organic disease
(302.70 through 302.79), and those coded as "V" codes.
(i) Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this section, a group health benefit plan that covers both
medical and surgical benefits and mental health benefits shall, with respect to
the mental health benefits, comply with all applicable standards of Subtitle B
of Title V of Public Law 110‑343, known as the Paul Wellstone and Pete
Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.2008, and
the applicable regulations, as amended.
(j) Subsection (i) of this section applies only to a group health benefit plan covering a large employer as defined in G.S. 58‑68‑25(a)(10)."
SECTION 2. Article 3 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 58‑3‑192. Coverage for autism spectrum disorder.
(a) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Adaptive behavior treatment. – Behavioral and developmental interventions that systematically manage instructional and environmental factors or the consequences of behavior that have been shown to be clinically effective through research published in peer reviewed scientific journals and based upon randomized, quasi‑experimental, or single subject designs. Both of the following requirements must be met:
a. The intervention must be necessary to (i) increase appropriate or adaptive behaviors, (ii) decrease maladaptive behaviors, or (iii) develop, maintain, or restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual.
b. The treatment must be ordered by a licensed physician or licensed psychologist and the treatment must be provided or supervised by one of the following licensed professionals, so long as the services or supervision provided is commensurate with the licensed professional's training, experience, and scope of practice:
1. A licensed psychologist or psychological associate.
2. A licensed psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician.
3. A licensed speech and language pathologist.
4. A licensed occupational therapist.
5. A licensed clinical social worker.
6. A licensed professional counselor.
7. A licensed marriage and family therapist.
(2) Autism spectrum disorder. – As defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or the most recent edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Autism spectrum disorder is not considered a mental illness as defined in G.S. 58‑3‑220, 58‑51‑55, 58‑65‑90, or 58‑67‑75.
(3) Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. – Any medically necessary assessments, evaluations, or tests to determine whether an individual has autism spectrum disorder.
(4) Health benefit plan. – As defined in G.S. 58‑3‑167.
(5) Pharmacy care. – Medications prescribed by a licensed health care provider.
(6) Psychiatric care. – Direct or consultative services provided by a licensed psychiatrist.
(7) Psychological care. – Direct or consultative services provided by a licensed psychologist or licensed psychological associate.
(8) Therapeutic care. – Direct or consultative services provided by a licensed speech therapist, licensed occupational therapist, licensed physical therapist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, or licensed marriage and family therapists.
(9) Treatment for autism spectrum disorder. – Any of the following care for an individual diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or equipment related to that care, ordered by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary:
a. Adaptive behavior treatment.
b. Pharmacy care.
c. Psychiatric care.
d. Psychological care.
e. Therapeutic care.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, health benefit plans shall provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. No insurer shall terminate coverage or refuse to issue, amend, or renew coverage to an individual solely because the individual is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or has received treatment for autism spectrum disorder.
(c) Coverage for adaptive behavior treatment under this section may be subject to a maximum benefit of up to forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per year and may be limited to individuals 18 years of age or younger. Beginning in 2017 and for subsequent years, the amount shall be indexed using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the South Region and shall be rounded to the nearest whole thousand dollars. The index factor shall be the index as of March of the year preceding the change divided by the index as of March 2015. This amount shall be posted by the Commissioner no later than April 1 of each year and shall apply to policies renewed or purchased the following calendar year.
(d) Coverage under this section may not be denied on the basis that the treatments are habilitative or educational in nature.
(e) Coverage under this section may be subject to co‑payment, deductible, and coinsurance provisions of a health benefit plan that are not less favorable than the co‑payment, deductible, and coinsurance provisions that apply to substantially all medical services covered by the health benefit plan.
(f) This section shall not be construed as limiting benefits that are otherwise available to an individual under a health benefit plan.
(g) Nothing in this section shall apply to non‑grandfathered health plans in the individual and small group markets that are subject to the requirement to cover the essential health benefit package under 45 C.F.R. § 147.150(a).
(h) This section shall not be construed as affecting any obligation to provide services to an individual under an individualized family service plan, an individualized education program, or an individualized service plan.
(i) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, health benefit plans shall provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in accordance with the standards contained in Subtitle B of Title V of Public Law 110‑343, known as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and the applicable regulations, as amended."
SECTION 3. G.S. 58‑51‑55(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) Definitions. – As used in this section, the term:
(1) "Mental illness"
has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 122C‑3(21), with a mental
disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV,
DSM‑5, or a subsequent edition published by the American
Psychiatric Association, except those mental disorders coded in the DSM‑IV
DSM‑5 or subsequent editions as autism spectrum disorder
(299.00), substance‑related disorders (291.0 through 292.9 and 303.0
through 305.9), those coded as sexual dysfunctions not due to organic disease
(302.70 through 302.79), and those coded as "V" codes.
(2) "Chemical
dependency" has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 58‑51‑50,
with a mental disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV, DSM‑5, or subsequent
editions published by the American Psychiatric Association."
SECTION 4. G.S. 58‑67‑75(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) Definitions. – As used in this section, the term:
(1) "Mental illness"
has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 122C‑3(21), with a mental
disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV,
DSM‑5, or subsequent editions published by the American
Psychiatric Association, except those mental disorders coded in the DSM‑IV
DSM‑5 or subsequent editions as autism spectrum disorder
(299.00), substance‑related disorders (291.0 through 292.9 and 303.0
through 305.9), those coded as sexual dysfunctions not due to organic disease
(302.70 through 302.79), and those coded as "V" codes.
(2) "Chemical
dependency" has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 58‑67‑70,
with a mental disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV, DSM‑5 or subsequent editions
published by the American Psychiatric Association."
SECTION 5. G.S. 58‑65‑90(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) Definitions. – As used in this section, the term:
(1) "Mental illness"
has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 122C‑3(21), with a mental
disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV,
DSM‑5, or subsequent editions published by the American
Psychiatric Association, except those mental disorders coded in the DSM‑IV
DSM‑5 or subsequent editions as substance‑related
disorders (291.0 through 292.9 and 303.0 through 305.9), those coded as autism
spectrum disorder (299.00), sexual dysfunctions not due to organic disease
(302.70 through 302.79), and those coded as "V" codes.
(2) "Chemical
dependency" has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 58‑65‑75,
with a mental disorder defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, DSM‑IV, DSM‑5, or subsequent
editions published by the American Psychiatric Association."
SECTION 6. This act becomes effective July 1, 2016, and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29th day of September, 2015.
s/ Tom Apodaca
Presiding Officer of the Senate
s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives
_____________________________________
Pat McCrory
Governor
Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2015