Reports from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule to Strengthen Mental Health Parity Law on Monday

Sep 9, 2024, 03:18 PM

The Biden-Harris administration has finalized a rule to strengthen the mental health parity law, ensuring that mental health care is covered at the same level as physical health care for 175 million Americans with private health insurance. Announced on Monday, the rule aims to expand access to affordable mental health services and substance use disorder treatments, requiring employer-sponsored health plans to comply with federal mandates. This historic regulation prohibits insurance plans from using more restrictive prior authorization for mental health than for physical health conditions, closing existing loopholes and holding insurance companies accountable for denying coverage unlawfully. The rule builds on the 2008 mental health parity law.