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Proposed Bill Could Potentially Decrease MD Funding
March 13th, 2014
On December 12th, 2013, Representative Tim Murphy (R - Pa) introduced the bill "Helping Families in Mental Crises Act of 2013" that aims to decrease mental health spending and increase mental illness spending. Within the 135-page document, Congressman Murphy highlights a number of changes he…
Medicare Makes Positive Parity Steps
January 30th, 2014
As mental health advocates applauded the release of final parity ruling for private and marketplace health plans, others were still concerned about of a group consumers who were not awarded the same consumer protections – Medicare recipients. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was…
Maryland Legislator Requests Insurance Commissioner to Perform Market Conduct Reviews to Assess Parity Compliance
January 20th, 2014
Delegate Pete Hammen, Chair of the House of Delegates Health and Government Operations Committee has always been a strong supporter of mental health and substance use disorder parity. Upon requests of behavioral health advocates he sponsored HB1001, Health Insurance- Federal and State Mental Health…
Be Wary of Narrow Networks in New Health Plans
January 2nd, 2014
The Affordable Care Act will decrease the number of uninsured Americans, increase access to quality health care and to shed light on the value of prevention. The requirement that insurers provide affordable and quality health care is a vast improvement for consumers, but as insurers are finding…
Funds to Improve Access to MH Services
December 13th, 2013
On December 10th, Vice President Biden reinforced the Obama Administration’s plan to improve access to mental health care by announcing $100 million will be dedicated to increasing access to mental health services and improving mental health facilities. Over the past years, the Administration…
The Fight for Parity in Vermont
November 22nd, 2013
The American Psychiatric Association and Vermont Psychiatric Association officials recently asserted that BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont is in violation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 by setting reimbursement rates for psychiatrists below those for primary care and…
Reactions to Final Parity Ruling
November 19th, 2013
On November 8th, 2013, the parity implementation ruling was finally released to address behavioral health discrimination. The long awaited ruling has garnered reactions among lawmakers, behavioral health advocates, agencies, and insurance carriers. The Obama Administration Secretary of the…
Final Parity Rule Upholds Strong Consumer Protections
November 15th, 2013
After a 3 year wait, the Final Regulations for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act were released on November 13, 2013 and will take effect on January 13, 2013 for plans with effective dates on or after July 1, 2014. All 206 pages of the Rule can be found in the Federal Register and a summary…
Final Parity Regulations Released
November 8th, 2013
Soon has finally arrived. After almost 3 years of waiting, consumers, providers and advocates were rewarded this morning with Final Regulations to implement and enforce the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Secretary Sebelius announced the release of the Final Regulations at…