A bill that would require health insurance companies to provide a free annual mental health exam passed its first committee before the General Assembly on Wednesday.
The House Health and Insurance Committee passed House Bill 1068 unanimously and goes next to the House Appropriations Committee.
The mental health screening would be comparable to physical checkups or other preventive care. The companies could not collect deductibles, copayments or coinsurance for the coverage.
The bill is sponsored by Democrats: Reps. Dafna Michaelson Jenet of Commerce City and Brianna Titone of Arvada, with Sen. Dominick Moreno, also from Commerce City.
Michaelson Jenet said getting early help shifts the focus to wellness instead of treatment as a reaction to crises.