Senator Fuschillo Announces Senate Passage Of Timothy's Law
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) announced today that the New York State Senate passed "Timothy’s Law", which he cosponsored, to provide parity in insurance coverage for mental illnesses. The legislation would require insurance companies to cover most mental illnesses and would require coverage for a broad range of mental illnesses and conditions specifically related to children. The bill reflects an agreement with the State Assembly.
"Mental illnesses can have serious consequences if they are not properly treated, which makes access to care and services vital. By extending insurance coverage to include mental illnesses, we can ensure that people have access to the help they need," said Senator Fuschillo.
The legislative agreement includes the following provisions:
COVERAGE FOR TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESSES
The agreement would require insurance companies to cover 30 inpatient days of treatment and 20 outpatient days of treatment for all mental illnesses.
The agreement would also require insurance companies to fully cover biologically based mental illnesses, including the following: Schizophrenia/psychotic disorders, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Delusional Disorders, Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bulimia, Anorexia and Binge Eating.
COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
In addition, the agreement would require insurance coverage for children under age 18 with attention deficit disorder; disruptive behavior disorders or pervasive development disorders where there are serious suicidal symptoms or other life-threatening self-destructive behavior; significant psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusion, bizarre behaviors); behavior caused by emotional disturbances that placed the child at risk of causing personal injury or significant property damage; or behavior caused by emotional disturbances that placed the child at substantial risk of removal from the household.
To address cost concerns raised by small businesses, the agreement directs the state Superintendent of Insurance to develop a methodology that would hold businesses with 50 or fewer employees harmless from any increase in insurance premiums that result from this measure.
The bill would also require the State Insurance Department and the Office of Mental Health to conduct a two year study to determine the effectiveness and impact of mental health parity legislation in New York and other states. Thelegislation would take effect January 1, 2007 and sunset on December 31, 2009, to provide for an opportunity to amend the law based on the findings and recommendations of the study.
The bill will now be sent to the Assembly.
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