Feds Finalize Mental Health Parity Rules For Commercial Health Plans

On September 9, 2024, the federal government released final rules to require commercial health plans provide access to mental health and addiction treatment benefits at parity with medical and surgical benefits. The final rules update the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) to direct health plans to analyze nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTL) for both types of benefit (mental health and physical health) and require plans to remedy any disparity. NQTLs are any requirements that limit the scope or duration of benefits, such as prior authorization requirements, step therapy, and standards for provider admission to participate in . . .