The proposed rule would reinforce s Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act MHPAEA by requiring insurance providers to update health plans. The rule would call on insurers to evaluate coverage based on a number of benchmarks including the plans provider network how much plans pay for outofnetwork coverage and how often prior authorization is required and approved under existing plans. Once the rule is published in the Federal Register which officials expect will occur sometime next week it enters a day public comment period before it can take effect. Addressing mental health and the disparities between mental and physical health care were part of Bidens proposed unity agenda which he unveiled during his State of the Union address. At the time he called on Congress to join him saying And lets get all Americans the mental health services they need. And lets ensure we finally fulfill the promise of mental health parity required under the law to ensure that mental health is covered just like physical health. For the many families out there who are paying out of pocket to pay for the care their loved ones need even when they have health insurance help is on the way White House Domestic Policy Adviser Neera Tanden told reporters on a Monday call previewing the announcement. This rule will make sure that we have true parity and it will help ensure weFinally fulfill the promised promise ofmental health parity. The proposed rule will close a loophole that exempted federally provided health insurance plans from complying with the MH PAEA a move that the administration estimates would require more than additional health plans to improve mental health care for consumers. It is making it much easier to enforce when health plans are violating the standards of the rule the official told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s announcement. It will require plans to include more mental health professionals in their networks or reduce red tape to get care to be in compliance with the law the fact sheet states. The administration estimates that the move would take more than a year to take effect and that it would cost more than $1 billion a year in the first year. The White House has not released a dollar figure for the cost of the new rule but has said it will be in the region of $2 billion. The announcement is expected to be made at the White House at 10am ET on Tuesday morning. For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. For support in the UK call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details. In the U.S. call the national suicide prevention Lifeline on 1-877-273 8255. For support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on the National Toll Free Line at 1 800-8457 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on the White House at 8457 90 or 8 800. For help in the United States call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1 877 90 90 90.
Biden administration announces new rule aimed at ensuring parity in mental health care coverage. Biden administration announced new rule to ensure parity inmental health coverage coverage.
