The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders. The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans typically offered by employers from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).
For more information visit http://www.disability.gov/health/news_%26_events.
Luther,
These new rules help assure that consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders will “not suffer needless or arbitrary limits on their care” – according to HHS Secretary Sebelius. Please visit http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1001291131.aspx for more information.
Excuse me for being stupid,but what does this mean exactly to the average disabled person?
This is great news for individuals with disabilities. Maintaining this medical insurance coverage is a secure foundation for many who are working with Vocational Rehabilitation Programs to find work through a Individualized Plan for Employment.