NAMI on What Happens Next
Here’s the deal:
President Bush is expected to sign HR 1424 very quickly in order to restore confidence in sagging credit markets. The parity law becomes effective 1-year after enactment of the bill. This will mean that group health plans will no longer be able to impose limits on inpatient days or outpatient visits or require higher deductibles or cost sharing for mental illness or addiction treatment that are not also applied to all other medical-surgical coverage.
There is a special effective date rule for collective bargaining agreements that would delay imposition of the parity requirements until the next collective bargaining contract goes into effect. The law requires that the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury issue regulations within 1 year, although failure to issue such regulations will not delay the effective date of parity.
In the coming weeks, NAMI will be developing educational materials and guidelines on how parity will impact insurance coverage for consumers and families. For now, NAMI advocates can celebrate a landmark achievement!
liz | 3:15 PM | Uncategorized
YEAH! It’s about time Mr.Bush. — Vote Obama!
October 3, 2008 a day that will be remembered. The US. House of Representatives has just passed the $700 BILLION Bailout bill (I mean “Economic Recovery” Bill) The “revised” Bill includes the Mental Health Insurance parity legislation. It is hard to believe it took a “Nuclear” Economic Meltdown to get this legislation passed.
The legislation states that “mental health benefits” means benefits with respect to services for mental health conditions, as defined under the terms of the plan and in accordance with applicable Federal and State law. In other words, NO DSM IV definitions of mental illness, each PLAN will decide what Mental illness the plan will cover.
Whatever “Mental Illness” is covered would need to be covered in the same manner as regular illness, like Heart problems. In reality, this plan provides parity insurance coverage for “the chosen” mental problems designated.
This legislation is certainly BETTER than any prior federal legislation on the subject.
The legislation requires the GAO to prepare periodic studies which must include an analysis of which diagnoses are most commonly covered or excluded.
This legislation does NOT provide coverage on par with the Federal Employees Group Health program.
It certainly is a step toward change.
I am encouraged by the legislation & implore ALL OF YOU to vote November 4th.
Vote for “REAL CHANGE” for “Main Street” in 2008.
October 3, 2008 3:49 PM
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