Michigan Regulations

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has a page on its website called “Health Coverage Basics.” Among other things, it lists some of the requirements of the section of the state insurance law about autism coverage and notes that coverage for autism may also be subject to the Federal Parity Law and the Affordable Care Act. This page also explains that mental health and substance use disorder coverage is an essential health benefit.

The Michigan DIFS’ website contains a frequently asked questions section on benchmark plans . One of the questions addresses if health insurers are required to offer autism benefits. The answer clarifies that applied behavior analysis is a mandated benefit for all health plans that must meet the essential health benefit requirements.

The Michigan DIFS issued a bulletin (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) that adjusted the minimum annual maximum for substance use disorder services for certain insurance plans from 4/1/2015 to 3/31/2016 to $4,309. It listed the minimum annual maximum for the previous 3 years:

• April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015 —- $4,240
• April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 — $4,179
• April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013 -— $4,094

The bulletin noted that it only applied to grandfathered plans and several other plans that are currently exempt from complying with all of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It also specified that certain plans that had been exempt from the ACA that have a renewal date after 7/1/2014 must comply with the Federal Parity Law.

Note: The DIFS issues one of these bulletins every year but does not provide links to past bulletins on this topic.

The Michigan DIFS released an executive report (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) that contained recommendations for Michigan’s 2017 essential health benefit benchmark plan. On page 9, the report contains a section on mental health parity . The sections clarifies that all benchmark plans must be in compliance with the Federal Parity Law . If a plan is in violation, DIFS will modify the plan so it is in compliance.

The Michigan DIFS issued an order (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) to certain plans that were temporarily exempt from complying with some sections of the Affordable Care Act. Among other things, it reminded them that they still had to comply with the Federal Parity Law.

The Michigan DIFS issued a bulletin (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) about Qualified Health Plans for 2015. Among other things, the bulletin noted that individual plans and small employer fully-insured plans that cover essential health benefits must comply with the Federal Parity Law. It also advised plans to review the final rule (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) of the Federal Parity Law to understand if the law applies to them and if they are in compliance.

The Michigan DIFS issued an order (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) to certain plans that were temporarily exempt from complying with some sections of the Affordable Care Act. Among other things, it reminded them that they still had to comply with the Federal Parity Law.

The Michigan DIFS issued an order (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) to individual plans and small employer fully-insured plans that must cover essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. It notified them that applied behavior analysis for autism treatment must be covered as an essential health benefit. It also notified these plans that they are not allowed to use any annual maximums or lifetime maximums for autism services. However, it informs them that they should convert any annual or lifetime maximums in their plans to non-quantitative treatment limitations that must be approved by DIFS. It advises large employer fully-insured plans to do the same regarding autism coverage.