Highmark Commercial Medical Policy - Pennsylvania
Medical Policy: V-39-008
Topic: Mental Illness Coverage
Section: Visits
Effective Date: October 1, 2016
Issue Date: October 3, 2016
Last Reviewed: June 2013

Effective April 19, 1999, Act 150-1998, (Mental Health Benefit Mandate) requires coverage for serious mental illnesses for at least thirty (30) inpatient days/visits and sixty (60) outpatient days/visits annually. Coverage of inpatient visits/days can be converted to outpatient visits/days on a one-for-two basis.

As defined by Act 150-1998, "serious mental illness" means any of the following mental illnesses as defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual:

  • Schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder
  • Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorders
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Delusional disorder

Coverage for the services defined in Act 150-1998, are subject to any copayments, coinsurance or deductibles, and all other terms and conditions, set forth in the patient's contract.

NOTE: This applies to group business. In some Plan areas, it applies only to groups of 50 or more.

This policy is designed to address medical guidelines that are appropriate for the majority of individuals with a particular disease, illness, or condition. Each person's unique clinical circumstances may warrant individual consideration, based on review of applicable medical records.

Policy Position Coverage is subject to the specific terms of the member’s benefit plan.


Place of Service: Inpatient/Outpatient

Mental Illness Coverage is typically provided as an oupatient and is only eligible for coverage as an inpatient in special circumstances, including, but not limited to, the presence of a co-morbid condition that would require monitoring in a more controlled environment such as the inpatient setting.


The policy position applies to all commercial lines of business


Denial Statements

A network provider can bill the member for the non-covered service.

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Medical policies do not constitute medical advice, nor are they intended to govern the practice of medicine. They are intended to reflect Highmark's reimbursement and coverage guidelines. Coverage for services may vary for individual members, based on the terms of the benefit contract.

Discrimination is Against the Law
The Claims Administrator/Insurer complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/Insurer does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The Claims Administrator/ Insurer: If you need these services, contact the Civil Rights Coordinator.

If you believe that the Claims Administrator/Insurer has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Civil Rights Coordinator, P.O. Box 22492, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Phone: 1-866-286-8295, TTY: 711, Fax: 412-544-2475, email: CivilRightsCoordinator@highmarkhealth.org. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, the Civil Rights Coordinator is available to help you.

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)

Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.

Insurance or benefit/claims administration may be provided by Highmark, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Coverage Advantage, Highmark Health Insurance Company, First Priority Life Insurance Company, First Priority Health, Highmark Benefits Group, Highmark Select Resources, Highmark Senior Solutions Company or Highmark Senior Health Company, all of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

Highmark retains the right to review and update its medical policy guidelines at its sole discretion. These guidelines are the proprietary information of Highmark. Any sale, copying or dissemination of the medical policies is prohibited; however, limited copying of medical policies is permitted for individual use.