COMPLIANCE BULLETIN: FEDERAL AGENCIES FINALIZE RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH PARITY COMPLIANCE

OVERVIEW

The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (Departments) have finalized resources to promote compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). MHPAEA requires parity between mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits and medical and surgical benefits. These resources include:

  • Final FAQs on mental health parity;
  • A final model form that plan participants may use to request information about their MH/SUD benefits.

The Departments also maintain a self-compliance tool and have identified warning signs of potential MHPAEA violations.

ACTION STEPS

Employers should work with their issuers and benefit administrators to confirm that their health plan’s coverage of MH/SUD benefits complies with MHPAEA, including any non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs). Employers should consider using the Departments’ resources to understand MHPAEA’s requirements and review their plan designs.

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