The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner has fined Premera Blue Cross Washington $550,000 over the company’s failure to comply with mental health coverage requirements.

Under state and federal requirements known as “mental health parity” laws, an insurer must cover mental health services in a way that is comparable to its coverage of physical health care. For example, if a plan offers coverage for unlimited visits to a doctor for a chronic physical condition, like diabetes or cancer, it must offer unlimited coverage for visits to treat chronic mental health conditions, like schizophrenia or depression, as well.

But according to an investigation from the state’s insurance commissioner’s office, Premera has failed to meet some of these requirements.

Mental health parity laws re

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