C95BD4CCA4A5F8C687258528006DB0BA Hearing Summary

Senator Fields, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1086.  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 this coverage is required in all individual and small-group health benefit plans, carriers are not required to provide coverage for the total cost of such services.  Beginning January 1, 2022, the bill requires that all applicable health plans provide coverage for the total cost of a 60 minute annual mental health examination, which is defined in the bill.  The examination must be performed by a qualified mental health care provider, which is defined as any of the following:

• physician;
• 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 nurse, with specific training in psychiatric nursing.

Senator Fields responded to committee questions.  

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment A).

Calysha Smith, National Association of Social Workers Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Andrew Rose, Boulder Emotional Wellness, testified in support of the bill.

Valerie Schlecht, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Rose responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Keller responded to questions.

Committee discussion and questions continued.

Committee discussion and questions continued.

Steven Haden, Envision You, testified in support of the bill.

Megan Marx-Varela, Colorado Coalition for Parity, testified in support of the bill.

Sara Leahy, Colorado Rural Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Jeanette Hensley, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Hailey Kreiling, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sophie Hollingsworth, representing herself, testified in support of bill.

Dylan Herrmann, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sophie Post, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields commented on witness testimony. The previous witnesses responded to questions.

Loveleen Kaur, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Carman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Raya Patel, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ezari Duncan, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kaitlin McMullen, Letters To My Generation, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Krager, Letters to My Generation, testified in support of the bill.

Audrey Armstrong, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Eliana Trujillo, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Joseph VanGilder, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Giffee Mapps, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields distributed amendment L.004 (Attachment B).

Senator Ginal recessed the meeting.

Senator Ginal reconvened the meeting.

Ms. Chase responded to questions from the committee.

Debra Judy, Colorado Division of Insurance, responded to questions.

Ms. Chase responded to questions. Committee discussion and questions followed.

Committee discussion continued.

Senator Fields made closing remarks.