LRB-1151/P3
KRP:emw
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Lessner, BB0187 - Substance Use Disorder Counselor Coverage Requirement
For 2023-2025 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Insurance
Coverage of treatment or services provided by substance abuse counselors
This bill prohibits any health insurance plan from excluding coverage for alcoholism or other drug abuse treatment or services provided by a certified substance abuse counselor within the scope of the substance abuse counselor's education and training if the health insurance plan covers the alcoholism or other drug abuse treatment or services when provided by another health care provider. Substance abuse counselor is defined under current law to mean a substance abuse counselor-in-training, a substance abuse counselor, or a clinical substance abuse counselor.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section
1. 609.714 of the statutes is created to read:
609.714 Substance abuse counselor coverage. Limited service health organizations, preferred provider plans, and defined network plans are subject to s. 632.87 (8).
Section
2. 632.87 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
632.87 (8) (a) In this subsection:
1. “Health care provider” has the meaning given in s. 146.81 (1) (a) to (hp).
2. “Substance abuse counselor” means a substance abuse counselor certified under s. 440.88.
(b) No policy, plan, or contract may exclude coverage for alcoholism or other drug abuse treatment or services provided by a substance abuse counselor within the scope of the substance abuse counselor's education and training if the policy, plan, or contract covers the alcoholism or other drug abuse treatment or services when provided by another health care provider.
Section 9323.
Initial applicability; Insurance.
(1)
Substance abuse counselor coverage.
(a) For policies and plans containing provisions inconsistent with the treatment of s. 632.87 (8), the treatment of s. 632.87 (8) first applies to policy or plan years beginning on January 1 of the year following the year in which this paragraph takes effect, except as provided in par. (b
).
(b) For policies and plans that are affected by a collective bargaining agreement containing provisions inconsistent with the treatment of s. 632.87 (8), the treatment of s. 632.87 (8) first applies to policy or plan years beginning on the effective date of this paragraph or on the day on which the collective bargaining agreement is newly established, extended, modified, or renewed, whichever is later.
Section 9423.
Effective dates; Insurance.
(1) Substance abuse counselor coverage. The treatment of s. 632.87 (8) and Section 9323 (1
) of this act take effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.
(End)
