In Colorado, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, the mandates do not specify the ways in which mental health benefits must be equal to those for physical illness. For example, in Colorado and New Hampshire, the laws simply state that health plans shall provide coverage for mental illness that is no less extensive than the coverage provided for any other physical illness. In the other nine states, the legislation contains more specific language about how the benefits for mental illness may not differ from those for physical illness. For example, the laws assert that benefit and service limits must be at least as generous for mental illnesses as for other illnesses. However, the mandates vary in the level of detail provided.
Some states also require minimum mental health benefits, as described below.
Minimum Benefit Requirements Mental health parity does not prevent insurers from providing a low level of benefits for mental illness by lowering the level of benefits provided for physical illness. Though carriers may need to offer more services, if necessary, to achieve parity with other illnesses, they may not offer fewer services than specified by the laws. Maryland mandates a minimum benefit package in which there can be no annual limit on outpatient visits. The law further states that a minimum of 60 partial inpatient days must be covered. These two states do not specify the level at which such services must be provided, however.