3 things to know about mental health parity

With the coming of this year, there is a lot going on around health coverage and insurance plans. While an in-depth analysis is a bit outside the scope of this blog, it's important to touch on some of the major changes that are occurring. Following are three things you should know about the recent changes in laws pertaining to mental health parity.

1. Mental health and substance abuse treatment is "essential"

The Affordable Care Act has identified 10 areas of "essential health benefits" which must be covered under all plans subject to the act. This places mental health treatment on equal footing with emergency services, hospitalization and prescription drugs. In addition to bringing treatment to more people, this equality represents a positive shift in society towards seeing mental health as a part of overall health.

2. Treatment limitations are the same for mental health and medical benefits

There can be no discrimination between medical and mental health benefits. In practice, this means that deductibles, co-pays, annual and lifetime caps, and out-of-network benefits are the same for mental health and substance abuse conditions as they are for medical and surgical needs. Not only does this ease the financial strain of treatment, it also opens up more treatment options, especially in areas that have fewer services.

3. Intermediate treatments are covered

There has been some question about the area that occupies the space between basic care, such as seeing your doctor for a prescription, and intensive care, like involuntary hospitalization when dangerous. The laws going into effect specify that the intermediate treatments, such as intensive outpatient therapy and residential treatment, are covered. This can help avoid escalation of problems and conditions that might otherwise have to spiral out of control for treatment to be authorized. 

2014 should be a great year for mental health parity. If you believe that your insurance company is denying your right to equal coverage, the Parity Implementation Coalition (http://www.parityispersonal.org/) has some great resources.