The mental health parity act is a big step in the right direction for people with mental illness. The legislation, which became law on March 23, 2017, requires insurers to cover mental health care in the same way that they cover physical health care.
This MHPAEA concession helps to improve the lives of millions of people with mental illness. It will also reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness face. The legislation is a major victory for advocates for mental health care reform.
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Most commercial and public insurers are obligated to cover mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) therapy in the same manner they cover treatment for any other sickness under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
The Parity Act mandates that a health plan's standards for benefits related to drug use and mental health must be equivalent to – and not more stringent than – the standards for benefits related to other medical conditions.
What does the parity act mean for people with mental illness?
The parity act requires insurance companies to cover mental health services in the same way as they cover physical health services. This means that people with mental illness will no longer have to pay more for mental health care than they do for physical health care. This will help to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness face.
This legislation ensures that people with mental illness receive the same level of care and support as those who have physical illnesses. It also requires insurance companies to cover treatments for mental illnesses, such as psychiatry, psychotherapy and medication.
