The State of Behavioral Health Parity: Where Is It Headed?

OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Cover Story There is considerable variability in the way states determine eligibility and define and set service limits for mental health and chemical dependency parity legislation. In addition, specific exemptions in state insurance regulations exempt private employees from parity legislation mandates. According to the National Mental Health Association, only four states have parity laws without exemptions for mental health and substance abuse under private insurance plans: Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, and Vermont. Another six states have broad coverage, albeit with exemptions, while another 25 have parity for select groups or only . . .