Illinois Insurance Law Promises Better Therapy Access

A new law signed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is set to significantly improve access to behavioral health services for millions of state residents. Beginning in January 2027, the legislation introduces a standardized formula to determine how much insurance companies must reimburse therapists, addressing long-standing concerns about low and stagnant rates.

The measure also targets administrative hurdles, preventing insurers from demanding excessive documentation for sessions and ensuring coverage for services provided by supervised trainees. Furthermore, it mandates that insurers cover multiple behavioral health services on the same day for a single patient, streamlining care.

While the law is expected to benefit approximately 2.5 million individuals with state-regulated health plans, it excludes those with HMOs and state employee plans. Proponents, like Representative Lindsey LaPointe, champion the law as a crucial step toward making healthcare more affordable and accessible, particularly for mental health and substance use disorder treatments.