Public Act 19-159, An Act Concerning Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits, codified in C.G.S. sec. 38a-477ee. (This bulletin repeals and replacing Bulletin No. MC-24 dated August 31, 2020)

STATE OF CONNECTICUT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT www.ct.gov/cid P.O. Box 816 Hartford, CT 06142-0816 Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer BULLETIN MC-24 A November 30, 2021 TO: ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES, FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES, HOSPITAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, MEDICAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS AND HEALTH CARE CENTERS THAT DELIVER OR ISSUE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES IN CONNECTICUT RE: Public Act 19-159, An Act Concerning Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits, codified in C.G.S. sec. 38a-477ee. MH/SUD PARITY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES [NOTE – This Bulletin is being issued (repealing and replacing Bulletin No. MC-24) to update the reporting documents required for the demonstration of compliance with non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) as required to be provided to the Department not later than March 1, 2021, and annually thereafter.] This Bulletin is intended to prescribe the requirements for the annual reporting to the Insurance Department (“Department”) for Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits as required by Connecticut General Statutes sec. 38a-477ee. Beginning on March 1, 2021 and annually on or before March 1 of each subsequent year thereafter, each insurance company, fraternal benefit society, association, and health care center that delivers or issues individual and group health insurance policies in Connecticut must review its practices and procedures for compliance with state and federal mental health parity requirements and report its compliance status by completing the annual Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits compliance report by following the 5-step analysis instructions attached. Carriers must demonstrate compliance with non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) by providing a detailed explanation of how the analysis of the specific processes, strategies, evidentiary standards and all other factors used in the application of NQTLs to MH/SUD (mental health/substance use disorders) benefits demonstrate that the application of such NQTLs is comparable to and not more stringent than the NQTLs applied to MED/SUR (medical/surgical) benefits as written as well as in operation. The required report must be submitted and accompanied by the Certification Cover Letter and Exhibit A to be considered complete. Beginning March 1, 2021 and annually thereafter the following Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits compliance report (Exhibit A, Certification Cover Letter) must be submitted to the Department to demonstrate compliance with state and federal mental health parity requirements. In addition, each insurance company, fraternal benefit society, association, and health care center that delivers or issues individual and group health insurance policies in Connecticut must submit a certification cover letter to the Department signed by an officer of the company. Insurance Commissioner's singature The report will be considered incomplete if the certification is not included. In accordance with C.G.S. sec. 38a-2, any insurance company, fraternal benefit society, association and health care center that delivers or issues individual and group health insurance policies in Connecticut that fails to file the completed survey on or before the due date shall pay a late filing fee of one hundred dollars per day for each day from the date such report was due, up to a maximum of $15,000. Bulletin MC-24 is hereby repealed. Questions should be directed to the Market Conduct Division at cid.mc@ct.gov _____________________________________ Andrew N. Mais Insurance Commissioner