
5 Things From the Task Force on Mental Health Parity
Audits, consumer education, and help for states were among the recommendations to force better compliance with the 2008 law, which seeks to ensure that coverage for mental health or substance abuse disorders mirrors other benefits in a health plan.
The White House
1. More transparency is needed
Full disclosure about federal investigations into parity law violations, as well as proactive audits with results, would show consumers how to spot trouble. The task force also called for a publicized list of “warning signs” to help patients, as well as a Consumers’ Guide to Disclosure Rights.
2. Government must comply, too
The task force wants an accounting of how Medicare is complying with the law, and it recommends that Congress end the exemption for self-insured non-federal plans that cover state and local government employees. Finally, Congress must extend parity to TRICARE, which covers the military.
3. The burden shouldn’t all be on patients
Former Congressman
4. There’s new money for enforcement
With the report came CMS’ announcement that it is putting $9.3 million in new funds toward state-level enforcement. Another agency, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will hold training sessions in 2017 for state regulators.
5. New payment models may help
Though not part of the task force report, CMS this week also finalized the 2017
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