What does the mental health parity act do
The Mental Health Parity Act was introduced to improve how people are diagnosed with mental illnesses. It does this by requiring insurers to cover all diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Unfortunately, this Act also increases premiums for specific categories of insured lives. The ramifications of the Act on small employers and individual legislators are also discussed.
Coverage of all diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
The Mental Health Parity Act would ensure that all diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) are covered by health insurance. It would also set a standard for mental health benefits and implement a “floor” for all plans. Proponents argue that it won’t increase costs and will increase coverage.
Many states have passed mental health parity legislation. However, the types of mental illnesses and health plans covered by these laws vary. For example, 15 states cover group health plans while nine cover only state-employee programs. Twelve states cover all DSM-IV diagnoses, while the rest limit coverage to certain biologically-based and severe mental illnesses.
The Mental Health Parity Act has been extended to health plans for over eight million people. The law has also been extended to out-of-network mental health benefits. However, these new regulations will affect individual policies. There are still a few issues that the government needs to address. First, it is unclear how to determine whether the new standards will increase costs.
Increase in premiums for specific categories of insured lives
The mental health parity act (MHPA) increased premiums for specific categories of insured lives by an average of five percent. The Act was introduced to promote better access to mental health care. It also aims to make mental health services more affordable for the public and those with limited resources. However, a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the new law would result in an increase of 5.3 percent in premiums for pure indemnity (fee-for-service) health plans and four percent for managed behavioral health plans.
The new law is a significant step forward for consumers and insurers. Moreover, it is essential to improve the mental health care landscape. It will expand coverage of mental health and substance use disorder benefits and help make these programs more affordable. It will also help people with mental illness and addiction access quality health care.
Parity is critical to ensuring that insurance providers provide access to mental health services to the public. Currently, the government does not pay for mental health treatment in many states. However, the federal government has expanded its role in promoting mental health parity, and many states have passed their parity laws. While the state laws aren’t identical to the MHPA, most offer significantly higher benefits than the federal law.
Impact on small employers
Small employers are among those who will be affected by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which was passed into law in 2010. This legislation will affect both the out-of-pocket costs and health benefits provided by employers. While some states have yet to give mental health parity laws, there is bipartisan support for parity. Therefore, state leaders must work with business groups and insurance plan leaders to support the legislation.
As of 2006, thirty-seven states had enacted a mental health parity act, and the laws vary in what they require, which benefits to cover, and the population they cover. The rules also vary in the direction they take regarding managed care. For example, one state’s law only applies to public employees, while another requires that managed care plans cover certain psychiatric disorders. Several states also differ in their conditions; many do not cover substance-use diseases.
Before contacting legislators, it is essential to understand mental health parity. The Act eliminates discrimination against people with mental illnesses in private health insurance coverage. However, employers and health insurers are concerned that this bill will increase costs.
Impact on individual legislators
The first attempts at mental health parity legislation came in the early 1990s. Senators John Danforth and Pete Domenici introduced legislation in 1992 that included introductory parity provisions, but the effort failed. President Clinton attempted health care reform in 1993/1994 and had some introductory parity provisions as part of his plan. However, Clinton could not make mental health benefits fully integrated into the health care system, and the first attempt at comprehensive parity legislation failed.
Mental health parity laws vary from state to state. Some provide coverage for all mental illnesses, while others limit it to severe and biologically-based infections. Some states provide full parity and offer equal benefits for the treatment of mental illness as well as substance abuse. In 2006, thirty-seven states had passed parity legislation. Individual state laws vary significantly, and some cover only public employees. Other forms include more comprehensive provisions, such as requiring equal cost sharing and prohibiting particular inpatient day limits. The number of mental health conditions covered varies as well. While there are no federal laws requiring full mental health coverage, many states are moving toward implementing them.
When advocating for mental health parity, educate yourself on the latest research about the costs and quality of care. There are several comprehensive resources available, including an annotated bibliography. It also helps to identify legislators with personal connections to mental health treatment. Please encourage them to share their experiences with their colleagues. Finally, be knowledgeable about the legislative process. Fortunately, legislators’ staffs are helpful and willing to talk with advocates.