Mercer Select US - Agencies aim to issue mental health and substance abuse parity regulations by January

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Agencies aim to issue mental health and substance abuse parity regulations by January

Regulators missed an Oct. 3 deadline to issue guidance on the federal mental health and substance abuse parity law. The head of the Department of Health and Human Services, one of three agencies charged with giving guidance, said that the agencies’ goal is to issue regulations by January 2010. The law generally takes effect for plan years beginning on or after Oct. 3, 2009; for most calendar year plans, the law’s effective date is Jan. 1, 2010. Self-funded and fully insured employer group health plans may need to decide how to comply without regulatory guidance. (Select News, 7 Oct 2009)

Full text of HHS Secretary Sebelius’ letter (DHHS, 2 Oct 2009) (PDF)

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