White House Aims to Improve Mental Health Care Access

New Regulation Requires Insurers to Provide Equal Coverage for Mental and Physical Health

The Biden administration is set to release a final rule requiring health insurers to provide equal coverage for mental health care and physical health. This move is part of the administration’s ongoing effort to address the worsening mental health crisis in the United States.

Under the new regulation, health insurers will be required to cover mental health care and addiction services at the same level as any other medical condition. This means that patients will no longer have to face restrictive copays, coinsurance, or visit limits for mental health care.

Bipartisan Support for Mental Health Coverage Parity

Mental health coverage parity has been a bipartisan issue for many years. The 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act required plans that cover mental health and substance use disorder benefits to do so at the same level as physical health care benefits. However, the insurance industry has repeatedly pushed back against this regulation, arguing that it is an unfunded government mandate that will cause employers to stop covering behavioral health services.

New Rule Strengthens Previous Proposal

The new regulation strengthens a previous proposal from the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury. Officials said the final rule provides more flexibility to health plans while still requiring them to provide equal coverage for mental and physical health.

"Holders of group and individual health plans will no longer be able to provide different levels of coverage for mental health and substance use disorder benefits," said Lisa Gomez, the assistant secretary for employee benefits security at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Closing Loophole and Expanding Coverage

The regulation will also close a loophole that has allowed non-federal governmental health plans to opt out of providing equal coverage for mental health and substance use disorder benefits. These plans, which cover employees of state and local governments, will now be required to comply with the parity law.

"This final rule will stop the industry evasion that has led millions of people to pay for care even when they have insurance," said Neera Tanden, head of President Biden’s Domestic Policy Council.

New Enforcement Mechanisms

While the administration has not announced any new enforcement mechanisms, officials say that health plans will be required to comply with the regulation in order to remain competitive.

"We believe that plans will comply with the rule as a means of staying competitive," said an administration official.

Biden and Harris Welcome Regulation

President Biden and Vice President Harris welcomed the new regulation, saying it is a critical step towards expanding access to mental health care.

"There is no reason that breaking your arm should be treated differently than having a mental health condition," said President Biden. "The steps my administration is taking today will dramatically expand access to mental health care in America."

"The President and I are committed to ensuring that every person in our country has the mental health care they need to thrive," said Vice President Harris. "This historic rule will expand mental health care across our nation so more of our loved ones, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates receive the care they deserve."

Criticism from Republicans

Not all Republicans are welcoming the regulation. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, argued that the rule is an overreach.

"For over a year, we’ve been telling the Biden-Harris administration that these rules will not work," said Rep. Foxx. "They are too vague and burdensome; they overregulate instead of allowing health plans to build robust networks; and they will increase premiums for employees already facing high health care costs. These rules do nothing to improve mental health care access and instead put paperwork over patients."

Conclusion

The new regulation aims to improve access to mental health care by requiring health insurers to provide equal coverage for mental and physical health. While the insurance industry has pushed back against the regulation, advocates say it is a critical step towards addressing the worsening mental health crisis in the United States.

FAQs

Q: What does the new regulation require of health insurers?

A: The regulation requires health insurers to provide equal coverage for mental health care and physical health, including removing restrictive copays, coinsurance, and visit limits.

Q: Who is affected by the regulation?

A: The regulation affects holders of group and individual health plans, including employers and individuals purchasing health insurance on the open market.

Q: Will the regulation increase healthcare costs?

A: Administration officials say that the regulation will not increase healthcare costs, but rather make coverage more equitable and effective.

Q: When will the regulation take effect?

A: The regulation will take effect shortly, although the exact timeline has not been announced.