As a leading national mental health organization, Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) has been advocating for mental health parity to ensure that individuals receive coverage for mental health care at the same rate as they do for physical care. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) was enacted to close the gaps in insurance coverage for mental health services and ensure parity with physical health coverage. While the Act was passed over 15 years ago, disparities still exist in coverage between mental health and substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits. To that end, Vibrant and various other health organizations urged the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury (the Departments) to ensure insurers provide parity of coverage for mental health services.

On September 9, 2024, the Departments released new rules to implement and enforce the guarantees outlined in the MHPAEA. The new rules are extensive given the broad reach of the MHPAEA; however, there are a few key points that the final rules convey: 

• The MHPAEA protects plan participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees from facing more significant restrictions on access to mental health and substance use benefits. 
• It reinforces that plans and issuers cannot impose treatment limitations for mental health and substance use benefits that are more restrictive than those for medical/surgical benefits.
• It requires plans and issuers to collect and evaluate data and take reasonable action to address differences in access to mental health and substance use benefits as a result of treatment limitations. 
• It closed existing loopholes that did not require certain health plans, such as those offered to state and local government employees, to comply with MHPAEA requirements.

These rules, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025, will help eliminate barriers to accessing mental health and substance abuse services while strengthening protection for consumers. Accountability and enforcement of existing laws are critical, especially as mental health and substance use challenges increase across all populations, from children to older adults. Vibrant is proud to be part of the many organizations and individuals advocating for emotional wellness for all people. 

Read more about mental health and substance abuse parity here.