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Mental Health Parity
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to ensure that financial requirements (such as co-pays, deductibles) and treatment limitations (such as visit limits) applicable to mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits are no more restrictive than the predominant requirements or limitations applied to substantially all medical/surgical benefits. MHPAEA supplements prior provisions under the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (MHPA), which required parity with respect to aggregate lifetime and annual dollar limits for mental health benefits.
Regulations
Guidance
- Fact Sheet on Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
- For Employees about the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
- FAQ on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Sub-classifications)
- FAQs on Mental Health Parity Implementation (ACA FAQs Part V)
- FAQs on Mental Health Parity Implementation (ACA FAQs Part VII)
- Understanding Implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Related Information
- Now is the Time: the President's Plan to Reduce Gun Violence
- Standards Related to Essential Health Benefits, Actuarial Value, and Accreditation
- Application of MHPAEA to Medicaid MCOs, CHIP, and Alternative Benefit (Benchmark) Plans
- Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review
Publications and Videos
- Updated Mental Health Parity Part II of Self Compliance Tool
- Top Ten Ways to Make Your Health Benefits Work for You
- elaws Health Benefits Advisor
- Questions? EBSA Has the Answers video:
Reports and Research Papers
- U.S. Department of Labor's 2012 Report to Congress: Compliance With the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Study: Short-Term Analysis to Support Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Implementation
Other Resources
- SAMHSA Home Page
- SAMHSA Health Reform - Mental Health Parity
- SAMHSA - Caring for Every Child's Mental Health
- SAMHSA - National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Prevention Week
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Department of Defense Centers of Excellence
- Children's Mental Health Network
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners
- National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Health Law Advocates
- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
- National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc.
- Community Catalyst
- Legal Action Center
- ACMHA: The College for Behavioral Health Leadership
Related Events
Have questions? Contact EBSA electronically at www.askebsa.dol.gov or toll-free at 1-866-444-3272.
