An Act to Require Health Plans to Cover an Annual Mental Health Wellness Examination
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 0278
Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services
Sponsors: OSHER, MOORE, ARFORD, BRIDGEO, CLUCHEY, GEIGER, PERRY, BEEBE-CENTER
Amends: 24-A MRSA §4320-A

Legislative Document
No. 278
H.P. 176
House of Representatives, January 26, 2023
An Act to Require Health Plans to Cover an Annual Mental Health 
Wellness Examination
Reference to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services 
suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative OSHER of Orono.
Cosponsored by Senator MOORE of Washington and
Representatives: ARFORD of Brunswick, BRIDGEO of Augusta, CLUCHEY of 
Bowdoinham, GEIGER of Rockland, PERRY of Calais, Senator: BEEBE-CENTER of Knox.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  24-A MRSA §4320-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2017, c. 343, §1, is 
amended to read:
1.  Preventive services.  A health plan must, at a minimum, provide coverage for:
A.  The evidence-based items or services that have a rating of A or B in the 
recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force or equivalent 
rating from a successor organization;
B.  With respect to the individual insured, immunizations that have a recommendation 
from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and that are 
consistent with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the 
American Academy of Family Physicians or the American College of Obstetricians 
and Gynecologists or a successor organization;
C.  With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive 
care and screenings provided for in the most recent version of the comprehensive 
guidelines supported by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Health 
Resources and Services Administration that are consistent with the recommendations 
of the American Academy of Pediatrics or a successor organization; and
D.  With respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings not 
described in paragraph A, provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by 
the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services 
Administration women's preventive services guidelines that are consistent with the 
recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
women's preventive services initiative.; and
E.  An annual mental health wellness examination of up to 60 minutes that is performed 
by a qualified mental health care provider, that is no less extensive than the coverage 
provided for an annual physical wellness examination in accordance with this section 
and that complies with the requirements of federal and state mental health parity laws.
Sec. 2.  Application.  The requirements of this Act apply to all policies, contracts 
and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State 
on or after January 1, 2024.  For purposes of this Act, all policies, contracts and certificates 
are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.
SUMMARY
The bill provides that health plans must provide coverage for an annual mental health 
wellness examination. The requirements apply beginning on January 1, 2024.