Mental Health Gets Insurance Parity

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10/10/2008

Oct. 10, 2008

Mental Health Gets Insurance Parity

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Included in the economic rescue package signed into law last week were provisions that will, for the first time, require employers and insurance companies to give mental health issues parity with physical health issues. Under the new law, for instance, insurance companies will not be allowed to charge one level of co-pay for mental health visits, and another for other health services. Companies will also not be allowed to place different limits on plan spending, or number of treatments. The rules, which apply to businesses with over 50 people that offfer some form of mental health coverage, will generally go into effect next year. We'll talk about the new law, and its potential effect on treatment for addiction, schizophrenia, and other mental health concerns.

Produced by Christopher Intagliata, Associate Senior Producer

Guests

William C. Moyers
Vice President of External Affairs

Hazelden Foundation

Author of "Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption" and "A New Day, A New Life"

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Discussion

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