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.

Representative Titone introduced and explained amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.

Committee members provided closing comments on the bill.