Hundreds Rally on Lawyer’s Mall to “Keep the Door Open!”
Advocacy & Public Policy, All Categories, Behavioral Health, community behavioral health providers, grassroots organizing, Maryland, Maryland Mental Health, Mental Health, rally, substance use
More than 500 consumers, family members and advocates gathered in Annapolis February 25 at the Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition’s Keep the Door Open Rally to appeal for increased access to behavioral health services for those living with mental health and substance use disorders. Resolute voices echoed from Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis, repeating the mantra …
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2016 Open Enrollment
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As you may know, it is currently Open Enrollment for state health insurance exchanges. The state of Maryland’s marketplace (Maryland Health Connection) is the only place where qualified Maryland residents can receive federal tax subsidies to alleviate the burden of monthly premium costs (Advanced Premium Tax Credit) and the Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR). In order to …
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Crisis Intervention Training
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Since 2005, the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) has chaired the Maryland Mental Health and Criminal Justice Partnership (MHCJP). The MHCJP – which includes representatives from state agencies, local correctional facilities, the judiciary, advocacy organizations, providers and more – has worked over the past decade to improve services and break the cycle of rearrest …
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Learning Life Lessons from Our Veterans
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In 2014, a group from the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) in Baltimore City attended a mental health presentation provided by MHAMD at an annual conference entitled “Why Women Cry.” The rookie MCVET case manager took note that many in the group were uneducated about the very mental illnesses from which they …
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MHAMD works to address the mental health needs of pregnant women and new moms
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Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting 15 – 20% of pregnant women and new moms within the first year.
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DHHS’ Push to Fix ACA Network Adequacy Issues
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New York Times reporter Robert Pear briefly describes the Department of Health and Human Services’ push to fix issues found within consumer complaints. One of the major complications in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is the inaccurate provider directories of insurance companies. Several studies have been conducted to determine that accuracy of provider …
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Parity Project Director Discusses Parity on WYPR
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Parity Advocate, Adrienne Ellis of the Maryland Parity Project, shared some of her parity knowledge and experiences on the Maryland Morning Show with Sheilah Kast of WYPR. Ellis discussed the importance of the Mental Health Parity Addiction and Equity Act that was passed in 2008. She also highlighted the Mental Health Association of Maryland’s network …
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Maryland Parity Project and Other Parity Advocates Push for Passage of Parity Enforcement Legislation
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The battle to obtain behavioral health services has long since been raging in the United States. Historically, the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction has barred many from accessing treatment and has been reinforced by insurance carriers offering less coverage for behavioral health than somatic health. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity …
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New York Regulators Issue Parity Guidance
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On June 4, 2014, the New York State Department of Financial Services circulated this letter to provide guidance to insurers about the impact of Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) on the state marketplace plans and how to be in compliance with MHPAEA. The letter provides a brief summary of the background of …
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NY AG Schneiderman Takes Stand for Mental Health Parity
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The New York Attorney General (AG) website, AG Eric T. Schneiderman announced a settlement with New York’s EmblemHealth, Inc., demanding the insurer to comply with parity laws. AG Schneiderman is requiring the company to reform their behavioral health appeals review process and to submit previously denied mental health and substance abuse treatment claims for independent …
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MPP and UMD Drug Policy Clinic Review QHPs for Parity Compliance
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The Maryland Parity Project worked with the University of Maryland Drug Policy Clinic to analyze the [tippy title=”Qualified Health Plans” header=”on”]QHPs are private health benefit plans that are certified by Maryland Health Connection.[/tippy] (QHPs) for sale on the Maryland Health Connection to determine their compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). …
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UM School of Law Develops Parity & Addiction Equity Resource Guide
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Student-attorneys of the University of Maryland Carey School of Law Drug Policy Clinic, Darci Smith and Will Dwyer, have created a Parity Act Resource Guide to assist providers and consumers with federal and state parity regulations that are currently in place. The Guide also has tips for identifying parity violations, disclosure provisions and how to submit …
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