Health Information - All Americans Should Have Equal Mental Health Care

All Americans Should Have Equal Mental Health Care

President Bush signed a bill into law that provides guidelines for equal mental health care for all Americans. The law is the fruit of a 10 year labor by mental health advocates. Health insurances, in many cases, cover less for mental health related doctor’s appointments and medications. Under this new bill, insurance coverage would be equal for all conditions. The law will go into effect starting January 1, 2010.

The new law will cover employees of companies with 50 or greater employees. Companies with 50 or fewer employees and people who purchase their medical insurance plans out right may not be covered by the change.

Beginning in 2010, insurance companies that covered mental health and substance abuse related conditions under stricter guidelines will no longer be able to pay less for these conditions. For the consumer this means all deductibles, copays, and covered hospital stays will all have to be covered identically to other health conditions. The new law also covers employers who self insure. The self insured employers contribute health care to more than 80 million Americans under ERISA plans.

Forty-two states already have parity laws in effect. For insured parties covered in these states or as a part of a government insurance plan, coverage changes will not be noticeable. However, for insured parties who are covered in states that allow differences in coverage, the changes could be substantial.

While the coverage will need to charge the same for all medical conditions, insurance companies have the ability to require pre-approval for care and a statement of medical necessity or efficacy for treatment.

Advocates of the law are thrilled that all medical conditions will be treated equally hoping the stereotype surrounding mental health conditions will now lift.