Georgia Code
Article 1 - General Provisions
§ 33-24-29.1. Coverage for Mental Disorders Under Accident and Sickness Insurance Benefit Plans Providing Major Medical Benefits Covering All Groups Except Small Groups

History. Code 1981, § 33-24-29.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 1998, p. 736, § 3; Ga. L. 2001, p. 4, § 33; Ga. L. 2017, p. 164, § 27/HB 127; Ga. L. 2019, p. 386, § 45/SB 133; Ga. L. 2022, p. 26, § 1-7/HB 1013.
The 2019 amendment, effective July 1, 2019, deleted “on or after July 1, 1998,” following “or renewed” in the middle of the first sentence of subsection (c).
The 2022 amendment, effective July 1, 2022, deleted former paragraph (a)(2), which read: “‘Mental disorder‘ shall have the same meaning as defined by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association) or The International Classification of Diseases (World Health Organization) as of January 1, 1981, or as the Commissioner may further define such term by rule and regulation.” and added present paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4); substituted “mental health or substance use disorders for children, adolescents, and adults” for “mental disorders” in the middle of the first sentence in subsection (c); substituted “mental health or substance use disorders” for “mental disorders” near the middle of paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), and (e)(2); and deleted “, and such deductibles or coinsurance provisions need not apply generally to other similar benefits provided or paid for under the accident and sickness insurance benefit plan, policy, or contract; provided, however, that if a separate deductible applies to the treatment of mental disorders, it shall not exceed the deductible for medical or surgical coverages. A separate out-of-pocket limit may be applied to the treatment of mental disorders, which limit, in the case of an indemnity type plan, shall not exceed the maximum out-of-pocket limit for medical or surgical coverages and which, in the case of a health maintenance organization plan, shall not exceed the maximum out-of-pocket limit for medical or surgical coverages or the amount of $2,000.00 in 1998 and as annually adjusted thereafter according to the Consumer Price Index for health care, whichever is greater” from the end of paragraph (d)(2).
Editor’s notes.
On November 30, 1999, the Commissioner of Insurance reported to the General Assembly that “pursuant to O.C.G.A. Section 33-24-29(g) and O.C.G.A. Section 33-24-29.1(g), I do not find and cannot report that as an effect of the changes in coverage required by Senate Bill 620, premiums increased on average at a rate exceeding 2 percent for the period July 1, 1998 to October 1, 1999.”
Ga. L. 2022, p. 26, § 1-1/HB 1013, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “This part shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Georgia Mental Health Parity Act.‘”
Ga. L. 2022, p. 26, § 1-9/HB 1013, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “If necessary to implement any of the provisions of this part relating to the Medicaid program, the Department of Community Health shall submit a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.”
Ga. L. 2022, p. 26, § 1-10/HB 1013, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “Nothing in this part shall be construed to impair any contracts in effect on June 30, 2022.

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