HHS Releases Final Rule For Essential Health Benefits, DOJ Issues Compliance Warning

On February 20, 2013, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final rule on Essential Health Benefits (EHB) to be offered by health plans in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA); the final rule states that health plans sold through the individual market and the small group market must provide mental health and addiction treatment benefits at parity with medical and surgical benefits. A related interim final rule released February 22, 2013, by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces employer and health . . .