Delaware Fines Highmark For Mental Health Parity Violations

The state of Delaware fined Highmark for plan provisions that violated mental health parity statutes. The violations included provisions that imposed greater restrictions on access to psychotropic medications and residential treatment than Highmark plans imposed for non-psychotropic medications and surgical services. The violations were identified in a market conduct examination covering Highmark’s plans during 2021 through September 30, 2023.

Highmark was ordered to develop a corrective action plan and fined $329,000, which was paid on September 18, 2024. As of October 2024, it has made progress toward parity on both pharmacy and non-pharmacy non-quantitative treatment . . .