Hirschauer Sponsored Law Improves Accessibility to Mental Health Care

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To increase access to vital mental health services, state Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, sponsored a new law to expand insurance coverage for mental health services.  

“Accessibility to mental health care, especially as we continue to recover from the pandemic, is essential,” Hirschauer said. “Under new law, people will now have access to necessary mental healthcare and know that their insurance will cover it.”

House Bill 2595 expands the standards for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders and requires insurers to cover medically necessary treatment. It also prohibits insurers from limiting the duration of benefits or coverage for the treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders and conditions. The law will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2023.

“Despite mental conditions not being visible, they are just as important and need to be covered by insurance, just like any other disorder or illness,” Hirschauer said. “This new law will give those suffering with mental, emotional, nervous, or substance abuse disorders the care they need to regain control of their health.”

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