An Act To Improve Parity In Insurance Coverage For Outpatient Counseling Services In Maine

LD 1589 requires Maine health insurers to cover outpatient counseling services provided by licensed professionals - including psychologists, social workers, clinical counselors, pastoral counselors, and marriage and family therapists - at equitable rates. Insurers must reimburse these services at a minimum of 150% of the MaineCare rate and cannot discriminate based on the provider’s specific license type. The bill prohibits insurers from imposing prior authorization requirements or arbitrary access restrictions for these services, and mandates that insurers maintain adequate provider networks to ensure reasonable access. This directly affects licensed mental health professionals and insurers offering coverage for outpatient counseling in Maine.