Evaluating State Mental Health and Addiction Parity Statutes: A Technical Report

The Kennedy Forum

By 
Megan Douglas, 
JD; Glenda Wrenn, 
MD, 
MSHP; Samantha Bent-Weber, 
JD; Lauren Tonti, 
JD, 
MPH; Garry Carneal, 
JD; Torie Keeton; Jessica Grillo, 
JD; Sharon Rachel, 
MA, 
MPH; David Lloyd, 
MBA; Eve Byrd, 
DNP, 
MPH; Benjamin F. Miller, 
PsyD; Albert Lang; Ron Manderscheid, 
PhD; Joe Parks, 
MD

The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (the Federal Parity Law1 ) requires insurers to treat illnesses of the brain, such as depression or substance use disorders, the same way they treat illnesses of the body, such as diabetes or cancer. In other words, large group health plans are required to cover mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care in a way that is no more restrictive than coverage for physical or other medical conditions. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded these requirements to small group and individual health plans by mandating behavioral health services as an essential health benefit

Evaluating State Mental Health and Addiction Parity Statutes: A Technical Report (pdf)

Related Tags