State Information

Mental Health Parity Watch > State Information

Links to State Resources

For state and local government employees: Nonfederal (state & local) government employers that provide self-funded group health plan coverage (coverage that is not provided through an insurer) are permitted to opt out from the federal MH/SUD parity requirements. An overview of this provision along with the most recently posted list of employers who have elected an exemption is available on the CMS website.

Table of state laws mandating or regulating mental health benefits. [National Conference of State Legislatures, updated February 2009, reposted with additions February 11, 2010.]

External Review Process by State from the Kaiser Family Foundation

State insurance commissioners oversee insured plans. For assistance from your State Insurance Department on how to file a complaint or grievance please click on the state name below. [Some states may have additional external resources posted below.] Directory of State Insurance Commissioners [For assistance with self-funded (ERISA) plans see links to Federal Resources.]

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Georgia
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois

Statement from Illinois Department of Insurance on interpretation of Federal Mental Health Parity Law.
Effective January 1, 2011 BCBS-IL removed PPO plan preauthorization requirements for outpatient behavioral health services with the following exceptions, all

outpatient electroconvulsive therapy (ECT),
psychological testing,
neuropsychological testing,
partial hospital admissions and
intensive outpatient programs.

Note: Preauthorization is still required for these excepted services before the initiation of the service. For more information see FAQs developed by BCBS-IL.