Insurance Companies Slack on Parity Act

(Winter 2016) A presidential task force has highlighted the fact that some insurance companies are not doing a good job of upholding the mandates of 2008’s Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This law was put in place to hold employer-offered insurance plans’ coverage of these conditions to the same standards as other illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis and cancer. However, the group’s investigation finds that the law has not been well-enforced and that limited information is available to the public on the procedure for filing a complaint. The task force recommended the addition of $9.3 million to strengthen enforcement of parity legislation.

The coverage gap has wide ramifications for our nation in general. If mental health and addiction issues are not given adequate treatment, individuals suffering from these illnesses may not be able to find and keep employment. In addition, they may have fewer education and training opportunities, need more help from social services and have a greater likelihood of housing insecurity.

Massachusetts Representative Joseph Kennedy is backing legislation that would strengthen the administration of the parity law already in place.

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