REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR TREATMENT IN PSYCHIATRIC DAY TREATMENT FACILITY

(a) A group insurance policy that provides coverage for treatment of mental or emotional illness or disorder when an individual is confined in a hospital must also provide coverage for treatment obtained under the direction and continued medical supervision of a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy in a psychiatric day treatment facility that provides organizational structure and individualized treatment plans separate from an inpatient program. (b) The psychiatric day treatment facility coverage required by this section may not be less favorable than the hospital coverage and must be subject to the same durational limits, deductibles, and coinsurance factors. (c) A group insurance policy subject to this section may require that: (1) the treatment obtained in a psychiatric day treatment facility be provided by a facility that treats a patient for not more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period; (2) the attending physician certify that the treatment is in lieu of hospitalization; and (3) the psychiatric day treatment facility be accredited by the Program for Psychiatric Facilities, or its successor, of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.