

		UnitedHealthcare Changes Group Contracts to Comply with NC Mental Health Parity Mandates Effective July 1, 2008, the state of North Carolina is implementing new mental health parity mandates requiring group insurers to provide the same level of coverage for treatment of certain mental health conditions as they do for any medical condition. As a result, UnitedHealthcare is changing its group contracts regarding mental health/substance abuse inpatient and outpatient services to comply with the new mandates. As of July 1, the following diagnoses will be covered the same as any physical illness: Bipolar disorder Major depressive disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder Paranoid and other psychotic disorders Schizoaffective disorder Schizophrenia Post-traumatic stress disorder Anorexia nervosa Bulimia Durational limits can be applied; however, they cannot be any less favorable than limits applied for physical illness. Since there is no durational limits on standard plans for inpatient of outpatient services for physical illnesses, visits cannot be applied for inpatient or outpatient services for these diagnoses. All other mental health diagnoses and substance abuse services will be subject to the state mandated minimum limit of 30 days per year. This is a combined limit for network and non-network services. These effects will be effective for groups at their renewal on or following July 1, 2008. Please note: These changes are mandated for fully insured customers and optional for self-funded customers. Should you have any questions regarding any of these changes, please contact our office at 919-403-1986. Please Note: If you no longer wish to receive communications of this nature from Hill, Chesson & Woody, please reply to the sender of the email with the word "unsubscribe" in the header. Thank you. Important Notice: Hill, Chesson & Woody does not engage in the practice of law, accounting, or medicine. Therefore, the contents of this communication should not be regarded as a substitute for legal, tax, or medical advice.
June 27, 2008 Hill, Chesson & Woody Employee Benefit Services 194 Finley Golf Course Road, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 Phone: 919.403.1986 Fax: 919.913.0237 www.hcwbenefits.com