Mental health parity changes

The changes required by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 went into effect July 1, 2010. Priority Health assumes that all groups with 51 or more employees (all employees, not just eligible employees) are required to comply unless you tell us otherwise.

Here's what mental health parity means for you:

• The new deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket limits for mental health and substance abuse services are the same as medical/surgical services. No prior authorization is required for outpatient services, and all outpatient office visits — whether to an MSW, psychologist or psychiatrist — are at the PCP copay.
• Base plans have been revised to include coverage for mental health and substance abuse benefits that meet the law’s requirements.
• Groups that aren’t subject to the Mental Health Parity law will continue with non-parity mental health and substance abuse benefits.

Questions? Please contact your agent or account manager for more details.

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