In 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addition Equity Act (MHPAEA) which was passed to ensure health insurers also provided coverage for mental health and substance abuse "on par" with medical coverage. While not perfect, this drove us forward in reducing stigma and requiring more robust coverage under insurance plans. We haven't heard much since then.
On September 9, 2024, the White House released a new rule on mental health parity. The rule requires health insurance plans to provide the same level of mental healthcare coverage as they do with physical healthcare coverage and aims to strengthen MHPAEA. Mental health advocates noted than since 2008 insurance companies have continued to erect barriers to mental healthcare, such as sufficient reimbursement rates for providers, lacking networks, onerous prior authorization process, and more.
The new rule notes that “any financial requirements and treatment limitations like copays, coinsurance and visit limits imposed on mental health and substance use disorder benefits can’t be more restrictive than the ones that apply to all medical and surgical benefits." (Weixel).
Insurers will also be required to evaluate their use of nonquantitative treatment limitations (like prior authorizations) to ensure they aren’t more restrictive for mental healthcare than physical healthcare. Additionally, nonfederal government health plans will now also be covered by MHPAEA.
Too soon to tell, but we do hope this could mean positive changes for more accessible mental health care coverage for all. We will post updates to our blog!
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