Mental Health Parity and Addition Equity Act Resources

The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury (the Departments) on January 29, 2010 released an interim final rule implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). The MHPAEA requires insurance plans that offer mental health substance use (MH/SU) benefits to do so on par with their medical/surgical benefits, thereby removing barriers to care and limitations on coverage that affect many patients. The rule took effect April 5 and generally applies to group health plans and group health insurance issuers for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2010. Health insurance plans with plan years beginning between October 3, 2009 (the effective date in the law) and June 30, 2010 should make a “good faith” effort to comply with the law; plans beginning after July 1 must comply with the regulations.

AHA Resources

AHA Advisory on MHPAEA Interim Final Rule, April 21, 2010  

AHA Comment Letter on MHPAEA Interim Final Rule, April 28, 2010
 

Department of Labor Resources

Employee Benefits Security Administration guidance on outpatient benefits  
  

Other Resources

Questions or concerns about the new parity coverage law?
Problems accessing mental health benefits?
Uncertain about your substance use disorder benefits?

Go to:  www.mentalhealthparitywatch.org/Pages/mentalhealthparity.aspx