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County of Los Angeles
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New Consumer Laws 2009

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MENTAL HEALTH – GREATER COVERAGE

SB 1553, Health & Safety Code 1368.015, 1367.015

Access to mental health care coverage varies substantially under different mental health care plans. Some consumers are led into complicated systems, given outdated lists of providers, and asked to retroactively pay for services they though were covered in their plan.

This bill prohibits health plans from determining coverage based on:

  • Whether a patient was admitted on a voluntary or involuntary basis, and
  • The method of transportation the patient used to get to the health facility.

The bill also requires health plans that provide coverage for professional mental health services to include information on their websites for subscribers, enrollees, and providers on accessing mental health services.

May be reprinted for non-commercial use if a credit line is included acknowledging the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs.

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For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within the County) * (213) 974-1452
Web site: dca.lacounty.gov