LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 17, 2005

TO:	Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB215 by Van de Putte (Relating to health benefit plan coverage for certain mental disorders in children.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Insurance Code and require health benefit plans to provide coverage for certain mental disorders in children.  HHSC indicates that if Medicaid and CHIP health plans are required to increase mental health benefits then there could be significant costs to the state.

The Department of Insurance indicates that the Life/Health area will have to amend mandated benefit reporting rules, to add a requirement that insurer's Health Maintenance Organizations report data on mental health benefits required under the proposed legislation.

This bill would take effect September 1, 2005.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

454 Department of Insurance, 529 Health and Human Services Commission

LBB Staff:

JOB, SR, NV