A recent FAQ was released by the DOL and HHS to clarify certain regulations within PPACA. Here is the update on mental health and substance abuse disorders:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders
Coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services are an EHB, so non-grandfathered individual and small group policies must offer coverage for these services. Prior to PPACA, plans were not required to cover mental health and substance abuse, although the MHPA requirements applied to plans that offered this coverage. To coordinate the requirements of these two laws, the FAQ provides that plans that must offer EHBs need to offer coverage for mental health and substance use disorders beginning with the 2014 plan year, and that the EHB coverage must satisfy the applicable mental health parity rules. This will change slightly starting with the first plan year beginning on or after July 1, 2014, or as of January 1, 2015, for calendar year plans.
If you would like the Frequently Asked Questions – Part XVIII White Paper on all of the new clarifications, please Contact Us!
