Removal of Authorization Requirement for Mental Health Outpatient Therapy Visits

A review of mental health versus medical/surgical benefits was completed by Community First Health Plans to ensure compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Texas Health and Human Services Commission rulings regarding Mental Health Parity. Community First Health Plans has determined that in order to ensure we do not impose less favorable benefit limitations on mental health benefits versus medical/surgical benefits, the authorization requirement for Mental Health Outpatient Therapy Visits >20 will be removed effective October 1, 2017, for all lines of business.