Senate Bill 273, Parity for Coverage of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (MH/SUD) Services (SB273) was enacted in the 2023 New Mexico legislative session and became effective on January 1, 2024. SB273 amended certain sections of, and added other sections to, the New Mexico Insurance Code included in Chapter 59A, Articles 22B (Prior Authorization), 23 (Group and Blanket Health Insurance Contracts), 23E (Health Insurance Portability Act), 46 (Health Maintenance Organization Law), and 47 (Nonprofit Health Care Plan Law). The Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI), through its Life and Health Division, will enforce the provisions of SB273.

Through its compliance review required by SB273, OSI will review claims processing, provider reimbursement procedures, network adequacy, provider reimbursement rate adequacy, utilization management, level of care determinations and medication coverage to ensure access to MH/SUD services and providers, including parity with medical and surgical services. Additionally, the OSI shall ensure that a health care plan complies with federal and state laws, rules and regulations applicable to coverage for MH/SUD services.

SENATE BILL 273, IMPLEMENTATION – SUBMISSION OF HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES FOR COMPLIANCE REVIEW