Mental health parity: How do we get there?

Under the CAA, group health plans and issuers are now required to formally analyze and document their MHPAEA compliance, as well as make that data available to the regulator of the plan. (Photo: Shutterstock)

On the same day that the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury issued a report to Congress suggesting that health plans and health insurance providers are failing to deliver parity for mental health and substance-use disorder benefits to those they cover, The Leapfrog Group hosted a webinar offering advice for complying with the latest amendments made to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).

“Access to mental and behavioral health support is critical as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact so many lives across the country,” U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “Unfortunately, as today’s report shows, health plans and insurance companies are falling short of providing access to the treatment many working families need. We are committed to working with our federal partners to change this and hold health plans and insurance companies accountable for delivering more comprehensive care.”