Mental Health Parity

[French]

Does the Federal Mental Health Parity Law apply to outpatient behavioral health services if a plan has outpatient limits on Chiropractor and short-term Therapy services like OT, PT?

[leevena]

Does the Federal Mental Health Parity Law apply to outpatient behavioral health services if a plan has outpatient limits on Chiropractor and short-term Therapy services like OT, PT?

I am a little confused. Yes, the Fed Men Health Parity Law applies to OP behavior health services. The OP limits on the other services (chiro, short-term OT, PT) does not matter. Does this answer your question?

[French]

Perhaps my question wasn't clear. We currently have inpatient (60 days) and outpatient (30 days) limits on our MH/SA services. We have no inpatient limits on Medical Services but do have outpatient limits for Chiro, OT, PT etc. With the passage of the Federal MH Parity Act, it was my understanding that group health plans that offer coverage for any mental health or substance-use conditions cannot impose treatment limitations and financial requirements on those benefits that are stricter than for medical and surgical benefits. Therefore I knew we would be removing the 60 days limit but thought that we could retain 30 days limit since they already exist for some medical services.

Based on your response, it would seem that all limits must be removed for MH/SA services.

[Guest sniffles]

Perhaps my question wasn't clear. We currently have inpatient (60 days) and outpatient (30 days) limits on our MH/SA services. We have no inpatient limits on Medical Services but do have outpatient limits for Chiro, OT, PT etc. With the passage of the Federal MH Parity Act, it was my understanding that group health plans that offer coverage for any mental health or substance-use conditions cannot impose treatment limitations and financial requirements on those benefits that are stricter than for medical and surgical benefits. Therefore I knew we would be removing the 60 days limit but thought that we could retain 30 days limit since they already exist for some medical services.

Based on your response, it would seem that all limits must be removed for MH/SA services.

I'm curious about this also. I would assume that the 60 day and 30 day limits would have to be removed for the Mental Health and Substance Abuse. I don't believe the outpatient limits for Chiro, Physical Theraphy, etc. would have to be removed - they are not mental health/substance abuse. Just my opinion....if anyone else knows different please enlighten me.

Thanks!

[leevena]

The fed law allows limits on these visits. Here is a link that should provide you with the details. Good luck.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/healthinsreformforc...thparityact.asp

[French]

Thank you. That is exactly what I've been looking for.