Posted by judy1 on November 13, 2002, at 17:19:23
In reply to Re: Parity » judy1, posted by Ted on November 13, 2002, at 13:43:36
A Snapshot of the
Implementation of
California’s Mental Health
Parity LawIn 1999, California passed a mental health parity law—AB88—requiring private health insurance plans to
provide equal coverage for physical health and selected mental health conditions, including serious
mental illnesses (SMI) in adults and serious emotional disturbances (SED) in children. The law requires
health plans to eliminate the benefit limits and reduce the cost-sharing requirements that have
traditionally made mental health benefits less comprehensive than physical health benefits. These
include higher copayments and deductibles and limits on the number of outpatient visits or inpatient
days covered.Ultimately, the expansion of mental health benefits under AB88 is intended to improve access to and
quality of mental health services for people with SMI and SED. Other goals of the law are decreasing the
financial burden on California’s public sector in providing mental health services, ending discriminatory
practices in the provision of mental health benefits, and reducing the stigma associated with mental
illness and the delivery of mental health services (California Senate Rules Committee 2001).
Talk to you HR person- good luck, judy
poster:judy1
thread:32049
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32221.html