Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Mental health coverage costs argued (Maine) Bangor Daily News story - "State officials say the cash-strapped MaineCare program would save about a million dollars a year if private insurance companies paid for mental health services as mandated by the Maine Legislature in 2003. But at a public hearing Monday in Augusta, insurers and the business community argued that forcing the issue will drive up the price of health coverage for all Mainers and end up costing the state more than it saves. A provision of Gov. John Baldacci's proposed biennial budget specifies exactly which mental health services must be covered by any commercial insurance company doing business in Maine..."