New York Fines 15 Insurance Companies for Noncompliance With Mental Health Parity Law
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New York Recently, 15 insurance companies were fined a combined $2.7 million dollars for failure to comply with Timothy’s Law, New York’s mental health parity law. Read Rep Tonkos Response Oregon Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon has slashed mental health benefits and raised deductibles for medical care. Michigan Advocates “walk a mile” to …
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DOL Releases New FAQ on Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
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The US Department of Labor released new FAQ on Implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 on May 9, 2012. The FAQ are fairly general and contain little new or not previously released information. A few noteworthy items include- Q6 asks if nonquantitative treatment limits (NQTL) are analyzed as quantitative …
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Thomson Reuters Study- Mental Health Parity Unlikely to Hurt Employers
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In recently released press release, Thomson Reuters says the findings from two separate studies done by Thomson Reuters researchers in conjunction with SAMHSA, show that increased behavioral health coverage is unlikely to be costly to employers. The primary reasoning being the low utilization and small amount of spending for behavioral health. The studies showed that behavioral health …
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RAND Completes Study on Federal Mental Health Parity Implementation
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A study published by the RAND Corporation, contracted by the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, includes a short term analysis of current implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The study focuses on two issues in the current regulations, non quantitative treatment limitations and scope of service. RAND convened a …
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Representatives Kennedy and Ramstad Commit to Fight for Final Rule on Mental Health Parity
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Parity Champions Representatives Kennedy and Ramstad persist in the parity battle. Both were sponsors of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and were instrumental in its passage. At a lunch on March 14th at the National Press Club, Kennedy and Ramstad pledged their commitment to stay involved in the fight for final regulations …
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Maryland Behavioral Health Community Submits Comments on the Essential Health Benefits Guidance
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The National Council For Community Behavioral Health Care developed a factsheet on what it means for behavioral health that states will be making decisions about the Essential Health Benefits Plan. It is imperative that we stay engaged in the process and fight to make sure that a full continuum of care for mental health and substance …
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U.S. Department of Labor Attempts to Simplify Complaint Process
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In November, the U. S. Department of Labor launched a new online form for all health insurance questions and complaints. The form isn’t specific to Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act complaints or questions, but can be used for parity questions and complaints. Consumers and providers will need to input specific information about their situation …
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Limit on Outpatient Mental Health Visits Removed by Insurer
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Maryland Parity Project recently filed an individual complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration to protest a limit on outpatient mental health visits imposed by an insurer operating in Maryland’s small group market. This limit has been removed. According to the policyholder we were working with, she recently received an updated benefits booklet and the limit …
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Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board is Moving Ahead
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On December 19th, the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) submitted comments to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board. The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (HBE), an integral part of the Maryland’s health care reform implementation, was established by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2011 legislative session. The vision for the HBE is that it …
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Just Released FAQ on the Federal Parity Law
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The US Department of Labor (USDOL) released FAQS About Affordable Care Act Implementation Part VII and Mental Health Parity Implementation on November 17, 2011. While these FAQs do not address all of the issues identified and aren’t everything advocates asked for, they do offer more clarity on Non Quantitative Treatment Limitations, (NQTL) specifically utilization review requirements. …
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Maryland Parity Project is Currently Filing Complaints
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The Maryland Parity Project’s complaint investigation process is underway! To date, we have filed 4 complaints on behalf of providers and consumers – all are in varying stages of investigation. Of these complaints, 3 were of perceived violations of the nonquantitative treatment limit regulations, mainly prior authorization processes and requirements that were more restrictive than …
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A Push for Clearer Regulations, Meetings with the Maryland Congressional Delegation
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The Maryland Parity Project, Maryland Psychiatric Society, Maryland Psychological Association, Mental Health Association of Maryland, NAMI Maryland, and the University of Maryland School of Law Drug Policy Clinic recently met with staff of the entire Maryland Congressional Delegation and Congressman Chris Van Hollen, who found the time to spend 30 minutes with us despite his …
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