Mental Health and Addiction Parity Act Passes

Embedded in this week's economic bailout/rescue package that was passed today by the House of Representatives--and which will become law upon the president's signature--was the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

The bill calls for parity in coverage of mental health and substance abuse services (from the linked article):

The legislation applies to group health plans of 51 or more employees. The bill takes the following steps:

• If a plan offers out-of-network benefits for medical or surgical care, it must also offer out-of-network coverage for mental health and addiction treatment and provide services at parity.
  
• Strong state parity and consumer protection laws are preserved while extending parity protection to 82 million more people who are not protected by state laws and 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation.

State parity laws vary widely from state to state (for a map of state laws, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity/states).
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For fact sheets on the legislation and more information, go to www.mentalhealthamerica.net.