In October of 2008, the President signed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which provided some vital changes in the way group mental health and addiction benefits are to be covered. This ensures that those needing such coverage will not be denied or restricted in their ability to seek treatment.
The MHPAEA applies to Large Group plans; both self-funded and fully insured, and works to prevent the placement of dollar limits on mental health care. Instead, it ensures that mental health benefits and substance use disorders are covered just as any other medical or surgical benefits.
The MHPAEA applies to Large Group plans; both self-funded and fully insured, and works to prevent the placement of dollar limits on mental health care. Instead, it ensures that mental health benefits and substance use disorders are covered just as any other medical or surgical benefits.
However, there are some snags. If the group plan does not currently have mental health benefits on their plan, they will not be required to add them to their current benefit package. Also, the number of covered visits may be limited, even if there is no visit limit imposed on regular medical visits. Cost sharing may be higher for mental health or substance abuse visits as well.
Though this law may only apply to large group plans, those individuals who are on small group or an individual/family plan will find the same protection under “Mental Health Parity”. You can click on www.ncsl.org to see state specific laws regarding mental health benefits.
Tags: Add new tag, group health, mental health, pre-existing
