3960

VETOES

major medical expense coverage, benefits, after the applicable
deductible, for covered expenses arising from all those services,
other than inpatient, which are rendered to treat acute mental
illness and emotional disorders, shall be [at a rate which is
not less than 65 PERCENT FOR THE FIRST 15 20 VISITS PER YEAR
CALENDAR YEAR OR BENEFIT PERIOD AND NOT LESS THAN 50 percent FOR
ANY VISITS THEREAFTER FOR THAT YEAR CALENDAR YEAR OR BENEFIT
PERIOD. of] EQUIVALENT TO the benefits which the policy
provides for other types of illness.

477E.

(a) Every hospital or major medical insurance policy or
certificate written on an expense incurred basis which is
delivered or issued for delivery, within this State must include
benefits for expenses arising from treatment of acute mental
illnesses and emotional disorders which in the professional
judgment of practitioners are subject to significant improvement
through short-term therapy. These benefits must be at least equal
to the following minimum requirements: (1) with respect to
benefits for confinement as an inpatient in a hospital, the
period of confinement for which benefits are payable shall be at
least 30 days in any calendar year or benefit period; (2) with
respect to major medical expense coverage, benefits, after the
applicable deductible, for covered expenses arising from all
those services, other than inpatient, which are rendered to treat
acute mental illness and emotional disorders, shall be [at a
rate which is not less than 65 PERCENT FOR THE FIRST 15 20 VISITS
PER YEAR CALENDAR YEAR OR BENEFIT PERIOD AND NOT LESS THAN 50
percent FOR ANY VISITS THEREAFTER FOR THAT YEAR CALENDAR YEAR OR
BENEFIT PERIOD, of] EQUIVALENT TO the benefits which the policy
provides for other types of illness.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, If the contingency in
Section 3 of this Act occurs, it shall remain effective for a
period of no more than 3 years and, at the end of June 30, 1989,
and with no further action required by the General Assembly, the
changes made to Section(s) 354D(a), and 470E(a), and 477E(a) by

this Act shall be void and of no effect. On July 1, 1989,

Section(s) 354D, 470E, and 477E, as codified immediately prior to
the effective date of this Act, shall be revived and the Michie
Publishing Company shall include Section(s) 354D, 470E, and 477E
in the Annotated Code of Maryland as the sections existed before
July 1, 1986 and as amended by enactments subsequent to this Act.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
apply only to contracts issued on renewed after the effective
date of this Act.

SECTION 2. SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this
Act shall take effect July 1, 1986, contingent upon the
Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, in conjunction with the
Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, adopting