Mandated Health Insurance Benefits

Mandated Health Insurance Benefits: A mandated benefit is coverage that your health insurance company is required by fb88 law to provide. These benefits typically pertain to a specific disease or condition. For example, coverage for diabetes supplies and services. A health policy that provides coverage for the mandate as required may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the same extent that these provisions are applicable to all coverage and are not inconsistent with the requirements of the particular mandate.

Please note that these mandated benefits only apply to the fully insured market and do not apply to self-funded plans, fb88Care, or Medicare.

Ìý

History of Mandated Benefits for Health Insurance

Year Enacted

Benefit

Contracts
Affected

Type of
Mandate

Statutory Reference

ET*

Title 24

Title 24-A

1975 MaternityÌýbenefits provided to married women must also be provided toÌýunmarriedÌýwomen. All Contracts excluding HMOs Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1975 Coverage ofÌýchildrenÌýmust be made available toÌýunmarriedÌýwomen on the same basis as married women All Contracts excluding HMOs Mandated Offer ,
,
Y
1975 Must include benefits forÌýdentists'Ìýservices to the extent that the same services would be covered if performed by a physician. All Contracts excluding HMOs Mandated Provider Ìý N
1975 Family Coverage must cover anyÌýchildrenÌýborn while coverage is in force from the moment of birth, including treatment of congenital defects. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1975 Must include benefits forÌýpsychologists'Ìýservices to the extent that the same services would be covered if performed by a physician. All Contracts excluding HMOs Mandated Provider Ìý ,
Y
1977 Benefits must be made available forÌýhome health careÌýservices. All Contracts excluding HMOs Mandated Offer ,
N
1979 Benefits must be made available for outpatient health care services of certifiedÌýrural health clinics. Nonprofit Hospital & Medical Service Organizations Mandated Offer Ìý N
1981 Benefits must be made available for the services ofÌýoptometristsÌýif the same services would be covered if performed by a physician. All Groups excluding HMOs Mandated Offer N
1981
1983
2018
Benefits must include for treatment ofÌýsubstance use disorder, subject to "reasonable limitations". Groups of more than 20 excluding HMOs Mandated Coverage Y
1983
1995
2003
2019
Benefits must be included forÌýMental HealthÌýServices, subject to "reasonable limitations".
Requires coverage of listed conditions at levels not less extensive than for physical illnesses.
All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1983 Benefits must be included for the services ofÌýsocial workersÌýand psychiatric nurses to the extent that the same services would be covered if performed by a physician. All Contracts excluding HMOs Mandated Provider Ìý ,
Y
1986 Benefits must be included for the services ofÌýchiropractorsÌýto the extent that the same services would be covered by a physician. Benefits must be included for therapeutic, adjustive and manipulative services. All Contracts Mandated Provider and Coverage Ìý ,
,
N
1987 Benefits must be made available forÌýcardiac rehabilitationÌýexpenses. Groups of 20 or more Mandated Offer Ìý N
1990 Benefits must be included forÌýAIDS,ÌýAIDS Related Complex (ARC) or HIV related diseases to the extent that any other sickness or disabling condition is covered. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1990
1997
Benefits must be made available for screeningÌýmammography. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1992 Benefits must be made available for the services ofÌýacupuncturistÌýif comparable services would be covered if performed by a physician. All Contracts Mandated Provider ,
Y
1994
1995
1997
Provide benefits for care byÌýchiropractorsÌýat least equal to benefit paid to other providers treating similar neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. Requires treatment for acute care for a limited self referred for chiropractic benefits. HMO Only Mandated Provider
and Coverage
Ìý N
1995 Must provide coverage forÌýreconstruction of both breastsÌýto produce symmetrical appearance according to patient and physician wishes. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y**
1995 Must provide coverage forÌýmetabolic formulaÌýand up to $3,000 per year for prescribed modified low-protein food products. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1996 Benefits must be provided forÌýmaternityÌý(length of stay) and newborn care, in accordance with "Guidelines for Perinatal Care" as determined by attending provider and mother. All Contracts including HMOs Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y**
1996 Benefits must be provided for medically necessary equipment and supplies used to treatÌýdiabetesÌý(insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, monitors, test strips, syringes and lancets) and approved self-management and education training. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1996 Benefits must be provided forÌýscreening Pap tests. Group, and all HMO contracts Mandated Coverage ,
Y
1996 Benefits must be provided forÌýannual gynecological examÌýwithout prior approval of primary care physician. Group managed care Mandated Coverage ,
Y
1996 Benefits must be made available for mental health services provided byÌýlicensed counselors. All Contracts Mandated Offer Ìý ,
,
N
1997 Benefits provided forÌýbreast cancer treatmentÌýfor a medically appropriate period of time determined by the physician in consultation with the patient. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1998 Coverage required forÌýoff-label use of prescription drugsÌýfor treatment of cancer, HIV, or AIDS. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
,
,
,
,
Y
1998 Coverage required forÌýprostate cancer screening: Digital rectal examinations and prostate-specific antigen tests covered if recommended by a physician, at least once a year for men 50 years of age or older until age 72. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1999 Coverage ofÌýnurse practitioners and nurse midwivesÌýand allows nurse practitioners to serve as primary care providers. All Contracts Mandated Provider ,
,
Y
1999 Prescription drug coverage must includeÌýcontraceptives. Effective 2019 coverage must be provided without any deductible, coinsurance, copay or other cost-sharing requirement. Coverage must be provided for dispensing of prescribed coverage for 12 months. All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
1999 Coverage ofÌýregistered nurse first assistants. All Contracts Mandated Provider and Coverage ,
,
Y
2000 Access toÌýclinical trials. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2000 Access toÌýprescription drugsÌýfor contracts that provide coverage for prescription drugs and medical devices. All Managed Care Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2001 Coverage ofÌýhospice careÌýservices All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý ,
,
Y
2001 Coverage of generalÌýanesthesia for dentistry.ÌýEffective 1/02 All Contracts Mandated Coverage ,
,
Y
2001 Access toÌýeye care providers.ÌýEffective 1/02 All Managed Care Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2003 2010 Coverage ofÌýprosthetic devicesÌýto replace an arm or leg. Effective 1/2004. Exclusion for micro-processors removed effective 1/2011. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2003 Coverage ofÌýlicensed clinical professional counselors. Effective 1/04
SeeÌýBulletin 335 (PDF)
All Contracts Mandated Provider Ìý ,
,
Y
2005 Coverage ofÌýlicensed pastoral counselors and marriage & family therapists.
Effective 1/06
SeeÌýBulletin 335 (PDF)
All Contracts Mandated Provider Ìý ,
,
Y
2005 Benefits must be made available forÌýbreast reductionÌýand symptomaticÌývaricose vein surgery.
Effective 1/06
All Contracts Mandated Offer ,
,
Y
2007 2019 Hearing Aids - Children currently mandated. Adults effective 1/2020. The dollar limit changes to $3,000 effective 1/2020. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý ,
,
Y
2008 Coverage for amino acid-based elementalÌýinfant formulasÌýfor children 2 years and under, regardless of delivery method. Effective 1/09. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý ,
,
Y

2008

2019

Coverage forÌýcolorectal cancer screening -ÌýColorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests recommended by a health care provider in accordance with the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society or at high risk for colorectal cancer. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý ,
,
Y
2009 An insurer that issues individual dental insurance or health insurance that includes coverage for dental services shall provide coverage for dental services performed by an independent practice dental hygienist. Effective 1/2010. All Contracts Mandated Provider Ìý ,
,
Y
2010 Coverage forÌýautism spectrum disordersÌýfor individuals 5 years of age or under. May be limited for applied behavior analysis to $36,000 per year. Effective 1/2011 All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý ,
,
Y
2010 Coverage forÌýchildren’s early intervention servicesÌýfrom birth to 36 months for a child identified with a developmental disability or delay. May be limited to $3,200 per year. Effective 1/2011 All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý ,
,
Y
2014 Coverage for autism spectrum disorders expanded to age 10. Effective 1/2015 All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý

,
,

Y
2014 Policies that provide chemotherapy treatment must provide coverage for prescribed orally administered anticancer medications equivalent to the coverage for IV or injected anticancer medication. Effective 1/2015 All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2014 Reimbursement for human leukocyte antigen testing to register as a bone marrow donor. Limited to $150 per lifetime. May not be applied to any deductible or other cost share. Effective 1/2015 All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2014 Coverage for services provided by a dental hygiene therapist for policies with dental coverage. Effective 1/2015 All Contracts Mandated Provider Ìý

,

Y
2015 Coverage for abuse-deterrent opioid analgesic drugs on a basis not less favorable than that for opioid analgesic drugs that are not abuse-deterrent and are covered by the health plan. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý N
2018 Coverage for preventive health services including evidence-based items or services with a rating of A or B in the United States Preventive Services Task Force or equivalent, preventive care and screenings and immunizations supported by the federal DHHS. All Contracts Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2018 Coverage for services provided by a naturopathic doctor when those services are covered when provided by any other health care provided and within the lawful scope of practice of the naturopathic doctor. All Contracts Mandated Provider Ìý

Y
2019 Coverage for Telehealth provided for any medically necessary health care service delivered through telehealth including telemonitoring and telephonic services. All Contracts effective 1/2020 Mandated Coverage Ìý Ìý
2019 Abortion Services - A carrier offering a health plan in this State that provides coverage for maternity services shall provide coverage for abortion services. Effective 1/2020 Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2021 Coverage for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA).

All Health Plans Effective 1/2022

Mandated Provider Ìý Y
2021

Coverage for certified midwives.

All Contracts Effective 1/2022 Mandated Provider Ìý

Y
2021

Coverage for HIV prevention drugs. Limits on prior authorization and step therapy requirements.

All Health Plans Effective 1/2022 Mandated Coverage Ìý

Y

2022 Coverage for mental health services that use evidence-based practices and are determined to be medically necessary health care for individuals 21 years of age or younger All Contracts Effective 4/14/2022 Mandated Coverage Ìý

,
,Ìý

Y
2022 Expanded coverage for all prescription contraceptives without cost-sharing All Contracts Effective 1/2023 Mandated Coverage Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Y
2022 Expanded coverage for postpartum care including pelvic floor surgery All Contracts Effective 1/2023 Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2022 Coverage for fertility care All Contracts Effective 1/2024 Mandated Coverage Ìý

Y
2022 Coverage for medically necessary prosthetic needs of enrollees under 18 years of age for recreational purposes All Contracts Effective 1/2024 Mandated Coverage Ìý Y
2022 Coverage for medically necessary dental procedures for cancer patients All Contracts Effective 1/2024 Mandated Coverage Ìý

Y
2023 Coverage for donor breastmilk for infants when medically necessary All Contracts Effective 1/2024 Mandated Coverage Ìý

Y
2023 First dollar coverage for diagnostic breast examination including mammography, MRI or ultrasound All Contracts Effective 1/2024 Mandated Coverage Ìý ,Ìý, andÌý Y

*ET (Extra-territorial) This column states whether the mandate applies to certificates issued in fb88 through group policies that are issued outside of fb88.

** Similar mandate in Federal law.

*** 24-A MRSA Section 704 - Mandates enacted after 2011,Ìýunless specifically stated otherwise, do not apply to these types of insurance: accidental injury, specified disease, hospital indemnity, dental, vision, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplement or other limited benefit health insurance. Ìý