On Friday, the regulations implementing the standard known as mental health parity were issued. These health regulations will implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. The late Senator Ted Kennedy was also a major force in the passage of that bill.
The new health regulations are considered a victory for fairness in insurance coverage for individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders, according to the American Psychiatric Association. One important issue that the APA is pleased to see included in the new rules is that of a requirement for a single deductible for mental health and medical/surgical coverage. Patients with mental illness often have general medical conditions that require treatment at the same time. Separate deductibles have in the past prevented access to mental health treatment.
However, the APA will continue to review the rules and provide feedback to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury during the 90 day comment period. APA President Alan F. Schatzberg, M.D., said, “The APA will continue to work hard and submit the important feedback to the Administration that is necessary to make sure our patients receive the care they need.”
The new regulations could go into effect as early as July 1 of this year.
Related Resources:
- New U.S. rules set parity for mental health care (Reuters)
- APA Reacts To The Mental Health Parity Regulations (Medical News Today)
- Mental Disability and Insurance Coverage (FindLaw)
- Getting the Most From Your Health Insurance (FindLaw)
You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help
Civil Rights
Block on Trump’s Asylum Ban Upheld by Supreme Court
Criminal
Judges Can Release Secret Grand Jury Records
Politicians Can’t Block Voters on Facebook, Court Rules
