MHA's Blog: Chiming In

Mental Health America and other members of the Parity Implementation Coalition are hailing the implementation of interim final mental health and addiction parity regulations by the Obama administration.

Regulations for the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) went into effect for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2010, meaning expanded access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment for millions of Americans.  In the absence of final regulations, plans have been required to make a good faith compliance effort since the law went into effect on October 3, 2009. 

The Parity Implementation Coalition is a group of addiction and mental health consumer and provider organizations committed to the implementation of the 2008 parity law.

The Parity Implementation Coalition also announced plans for a new online resource center to assist individuals and families with accessing their new rights and benefits under the law.  At the site, individuals and organizations will be able to document any enforcement problems with MHPAEA.  The new Parity Implementation Coalition website will be launched this summer.  In the interim, individuals who have difficulty accessing their benefits should contact the US Department of Labor at 1.866.444.EBSA (3272).