DD47821745A6DDDF872586CC006C7CCA Hearing Summary

Representative Michaelson
Jenet, bill co-sponsor, presented HB21-1068.  Under
current law, health insurance carriers offering individual or small-group
health benefit plans must ensure that coverage includes behavioral, mental
health, and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health
treatment.  While some level of coverage is required under these plans,
carriers are not required to provide coverage for the total cost of such
services.



The bill requires that health plans issued after January 1, 2022, provide
coverage for the total cost of an annual mental health examination of up
to 60 minutes.  The examination must be performed by a qualified mental
health care provider, which the bill defines as any of the following:

• physician who has certification
  or training in psychiatry or mental or behavioral health;
• physician assistant
  who has training in psychiatry or mental health;
  
• psychologist;
  
• clinical social worker;
  
• marriage and family
  therapist;
• licensed professional
  counselor;
• addiction counselor;
  or
• advanced practice registered
  nurse, with specific training in psychiatric nursing.
  

Dr. Jonathan Clapp, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Karlee Tebbutt, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in a neutral position on the bill. Julia Hunt, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kaitlyn Tollefson, Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill.

Moe Keller, Mental
Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Sarah Staron,
Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill.  Steven Haden,
Envision You, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Valerie Schlecht,
representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support
of the bill.



Written public
testimony can be found in Attachment A.

The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.

Committee members provided closing comments on the bill.