MENTAL HEALTH

PARITY is a WIN

for AMERICA!

2/10/10 -- Register now for two-part training March 18/24, 2010:  "Mental Health Parity Implementation: New Regulations Explained by the Nation's Leading Aanalysts and Experts"

2/2/10 -- Federal parity regulations published in the Federal Register (by HHS, Labor, and Treasury).  Also see IRS notice.

1/29/10 -- NAPHS statement on release of federal parity regulations

1/29/10 -- Parity Implementation Coalition release: "Release of regulations lauded as important step for those with addiction and mental illness"

1/29/10 -- Federal parity regulations issued by HHS, Labor, and Treasury (to be published in 2/2/10 Federal Register)

5/28/09 -- NAPHS comment letter on federal Request for Information

10/03/08 – NAPHS statement on passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008

 

BACKGROUND:

VICTORY!  The U.S. Congress has passed – and President Bush has signed – historic mental health parity legislation (the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008) that addresses longstanding discrimination against those who rely on their health plans for coverage of mental and addictive disorders.

 

The law:

  • extends equal coverage to an estimated 113 million Americans who work for employers with 51 employees or more
  • for the first time, this includes workers in companies that are self-insured
  • establishes visit and day limits that cannot be more restrictive than those for medical/surgical services
  • establishes copays and deductibles that cannot be more restrictive than those for medical/surgical services
  • requires that if a health plan offers out-of-network coverage, it must also include out-of-network parity for mental health
  • establishes a floor, but state parity laws can go beyond the federal law
  • allows management of the benefit
  • becomes effective one year after enactment (effective October 2009)

 

Mental health parity has won unprecedented support from consumers, providers, hospitals, employers, and health insurers. With millions of Americans experiencing psychiatric and addictive conditions, having coverage that is on par with that of other medical conditions is a win for America. Mental health parity:

  • Saves lives. Mental illnesses constitute the second leading cause of disability and premature death in the United States. As the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health noted, however, about one out of every two people who needs mental health treatment in this country does not receive it.
  • Saves money. Providing equal coverage for all illnesses makes good economic sense. When mental illnesses go untreated, costs begin to escalate.
  • Is cost-effective. Providing parity for mental illnesses is affordable. Research and actual industry experiences indicate that parity can be implemented without substantially increasing premiums. Studies have concluded that parity would increase premiums less than 2%.
  • Is fair. Mental health parity is the right thing to do. Mental health parity is a win for America!

 

NAPHS is a founding member of the Coalition for Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage, which includes the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Federation of American Hospitals, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems. The organizations represent consumers, family members, health professionals, and health care systems and administrators.

 

 
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