Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3012 Primary Sponsor:P. Harris Committee Number:26 Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Mental illness coverage offered in health insurance Residing Body:House Current Committee:Labor, Commerce and Industry Companion Bill Number:25 Computer Document Number:NO5/8740BD.93 Introduced Date:19930112 Last History Body:House Last History Date:19930112 Last History Type:Introduced, read first time, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:P. Harris Carnell J. Harris Mattos Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
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3012 House 19930112 Introduced, read first time, 26
referred to Committee
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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-737 SO AS TO REQUIRE AN OFFER OF COVERAGE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS IN GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES AND PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS WHICH OFFER THE COVERAGE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 38-71-737. (A) An offer to sell a group health insurance policy must include an offer of an optional rider or endorsement to provide benefits for mental illness at least to the same extent and degree as coverage provided by the policy for the treatment of physical illness.
(B) This section does not prohibit an insurer from issuing or continuing to issue a health insurance policy which provides benefits greater than the minimum benefits required by this section or benefits generally more favorable to the insured than those required by this section.
(C) As used in this section, `mental illness' means psychosis, neurosis, or an emotional disorder.
(D) A health insurance plan which provides or offers to provide benefits for mental health expenses pursuant to this section is exempt from the index rate limitations prescribed for the class of business in Section 38-71-940(A)(1), from the increase in premium rates limitations prescribed for small employers with similar case characteristics in Section 38-71-940(A)(2), from the limitations on the percentage increase in premiums for a new rating period prescribed in Section 38-71-940(A)(3), and from the limitations for plans issued before January 1, 1992, prescribed in Section 38-71-940(A)(4)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.