Byline: Lee Hammel

A mental health parity bill that would close the gap in mandated insurance coverage between mental illness that is considered biologically based and most other mental health disorders is on its way to the state Senate.

The Senate has four weeks to act upon

But Sen. Edward M. Augustus, D-Worcester, a co-sponsor of the bill, said he is optimistic about its chance for passage.

The state House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly approved the bill, which would mandate that insurance coverage for mental illness that is considered non-biologically based be the same as for biologically-based mental health disorders.

In a compromise reached in 2000, the Legislature mandated that biologically based psychiatric disorders be insured the same as physical ailments such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

It defined those disorders as including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder, paranoia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, delirium and dementia, and affective disorders.

The bill approved by the House this week added so-called non-biologically based disorders - such as eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse disorders - listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association and approved by the commissioner of mental health. Currently, coverage for 24 outpatient visits and 60 days of inpatient treatment is mandated for those disorders.

Opponents of the bill argued for waiting to see the effect of the state's recent mandatory insurance law. They said it is a mistake to add more expenses when the recently mandated insurance law is burdening the state budget.

Mr. Augustus said, "I understand that point of view, and I understand why an insurance company would have that point of view. That being said, I also understand the point of view of a family who may have a daughter who is suffering from anorexia and who has paid their insurance premiums and when they go to seek health care for their daughter discover that they're not covered," he said.

"That can be devastating financially as well as emotionally to a family. We're trying to put the law on the side of the families."

Ruth B. Balser, D-Newton, House chairwoman of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee, said she believes that if the Senate approves the "historic bill," Gov. Deval L. Patrick will sign it into law and "once and for all, remove the stigma associated with these conditions."