Mercer Select US - Perspective: Cost-effective implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

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Perspective: Cost-effective implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires group health plans that offer mental health or substance abuse coverage to provide those benefits on par with medical and surgical benefits. The parity mandate, effective for plan years starting after Oct. 3, 2009, applies to cost-sharing terms and treatment limits. The act also makes permanent a 1996 law's ban on lower annual and lifetime dollar limits for mental health coverage and extends this protection to substance abuse benefits. This Perspective discusses the new law and related benefit design issues for employers. (Perspective, 13 Jan 2009, 11 pages)

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