New Rules Require Parity for Mental Health Benefits
by -- Andrea Mongler Updated: Feb 1st 2010
MONDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Group health plans will no longer be able to limit benefits for mental health or substance abuse disorders, or require patients to pay more for these benefits, according to new rules issued by the U.S. government on Jan. 29.
Under the new rules, any group health plan that includes benefits for mental health and substance abuse disorders must treat them no differently than standard medical and surgical benefits in terms of out-of-pocket costs, benefit limits, and practices such as utilization review and prior authorization.
The new rules are effective for plan years starting on or after July 1, 2010. They apply to businesses with 50 or more employees whose group health plans include mental health and substance abuse disorder benefits. The rules will implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which is named for federal lawmakers who pushed for equal treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorder benefits.
"Today's rules will bring needed relief to families faced with meeting the cost of obtaining mental health and substance abuse services. The benefits will give these Americans access to greatly needed medical treatment, which will better allow them to participate fully in society," U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, said in a statement.
