Require health plans, Medicaid cover mental health well checks

hb856_00_IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 856

2025-2026

Representatives Brownlee, Sigrist

Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan,
Brewer, Cockley, Piccolantonio, Synenberg, Upchurch

To
enact
sections

3902.65

and 5164.11

of the Revised Code
to
require health benefit plans and the Medicaid program to cover annual
mental health well checks.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That

sections

3902.65

and 5164.11

of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
3902.65.
(A)
As used in this section:

(1)
"Licensed mental health professional" includes all of the
following:

(a)
A clinical nurse specialist or certified nurse practitioner, each as
defined under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code, who specializes in
the practice of psychiatry, family medicine, or pediatrics;

(b)
A physician assistant licensed under Chapter 4730. of the Revised
Code who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, family medicine,
or pediatrics;

(c)
A physician who is a primary care physician or who specializes in the
practice of psychiatry, family medicine, or pediatrics;

(d)
A psychologist licensed under Chapter 4732. of the Revised Code;

(e)
A professional counselor, professional clinical counselor, social
worker, independent social worker, marriage and family therapist, or
independent marriage and family therapist licensed under Chapter
4757. of the Revised Code;

(f)
A chemical dependency counselor licensed under Chapter 4758. of the
Revised Code.

(2)
"Mental health well check" means an annual visit that
includes a review of medical history, evaluation of risk and
protective factors, use of a developmentally appropriate and
validated mental health screening tool, education and consultation on
healthy lifestyle changes, referral to ongoing mental health
services, and other supports as needed.

(3)
"Physician" means an individual authorized under Chapter
4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or
osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(B)(1)
Notwithstanding section 3901.71 of the Revised Code, a health benefit
plan shall cover an annual mental health well check performed by a
licensed mental health professional for each child and adult enrolled
in the plan to the same extent that the plan covers an annual
physical health well check.

(C)
The superintendent of insurance shall adopt rules in accordance with
Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

Sec.
5164.11.
(A)
As used in this section, "licensed mental health professional"
and "mental health well check" have the same meanings as in
section 3902.65 of the Revised Code.

(B)
The medicaid program shall cover an annual mental health well check
performed by a licensed mental health professional for each medicaid
recipient to the same extent that a physical health well check is
covered.

(C)
The medicaid director shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter
119. of the Revised Code to implement this section.

Section
2.
The
enactment of section 3902.65 of the Revised Code by this act applies
to health benefit plans, as defined in section 3922.01 of the Revised
Code, that are delivered, issued for delivery, modified, or renewed
on or after the effective date of this section.