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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 16:45:56
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/03/mental.health.bill.ap/index.html
It was one of the bills added to the $700B bailout
package. This is good news!
Posted by lemonaide on October 3, 2008, at 17:28:02
In reply to Soon we'll have mental health parity, posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 16:45:56
Does it have to pass something else or is it final? I am so excited about this, does anyone know what it will take affect?
Posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 19:23:21
In reply to Re: Soon we'll have mental health parity » Phil, posted by lemonaide on October 3, 2008, at 17:28:02
Since Bush signed the bailout, it's now law. I have no idea how long it takes to get going. I see my pdoc Tuesday, maybe he'll know.
Posted by lemonaide on October 3, 2008, at 22:57:07
In reply to Soon we'll have mental health parity, posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 16:45:56
Here is a good site, that tells when, but it is kinda confusing...
http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=3bbcea10-d938-43bd-a278-9bf8e66d16fa
Posted by lemonaide on October 3, 2008, at 23:17:21
In reply to Soon we'll have mental health parity, posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 16:45:56
Okay, maybe it is too late to understand anything for me, but here is when it takes affect?
With respect to group health plans - Beginning in the first plan year that begin on or after January 1 of the first calendar year that begins more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.With respect to a State: Effective the same date as it is effective with respect to group health plans.
Posted by Phillipa on October 4, 2008, at 10:53:40
In reply to Anyone understand this?, posted by lemonaide on October 3, 2008, at 23:17:21
No it sounds like mish mash to me. Love Phillipa
Posted by fayeroe on October 4, 2008, at 12:39:29
In reply to Re: Soon we'll have mental health parity » lemonaide, posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 19:23:21
I received a message from NAMI and it seems to be a "done" deal..of course we all know how long it takes a "done" deal to trickle down to us nuts. :-)
Posted by 10derHeart on October 4, 2008, at 13:44:18
In reply to Re: Anyone understand this? » lemonaide, posted by Phillipa on October 4, 2008, at 10:53:40
I think I understand most of it. I've only skimmed parts so far, though.
Reads actually a little clearer than most legal documents I worked with for 20 years or so....
Maybe I can help with the mish mash.
I think I understand the effective date language to mean that Jan 1 2010 is the earliest it will take effect. Later if your particular "plan year" begins in a month after January. (Mine, for example, runs 1 Oct - 30 Sep.) I suppose that's giving the insurance companies time to prepare?
I'm just not sure what "enactment" of the Act means, exactly. Hopefully, it means when the President signed it, and not some later date. Checking that out....
It's about time. Wish it could go into effect tomorrow! Wish everyone always had the great coverage I have....it's never been fair or right.
Posted by lemonaide on October 4, 2008, at 20:02:26
In reply to Re: Anyone understand this?, posted by 10derHeart on October 4, 2008, at 13:44:18
Dang, why can't it go into effect like the bail out? I hope I am done with therapy by 2010. geeze
Posted by bottomfeeder on October 4, 2008, at 20:27:59
In reply to Re: Anyone understand this?, posted by lemonaide on October 4, 2008, at 20:02:26
> Dang, why can't it go into effect like the bail out? I hope I am done with therapy by 2010. geeze
Amen!!!!!!!!
Posted by lucie lu on October 16, 2008, at 23:46:04
In reply to Soon we'll have mental health parity, posted by Phil on October 3, 2008, at 16:45:56
Sorry I joined this thread late. I usually post on the Psychology board but was looking to answer a med question when I saw this thread.
Because I have a personal stake in this issue, I actually called several congressional offices and was finally directed to Ted Kennedy's Washington office that handles health issues. Ted Kennedy, bless him, was one of the senators who pushed this bill through Congress (Dominici was the other). I spoke to the woman who was involved in crafting the bill. Here's what she told me:
(1) The bill is definitely passed. It was part of the bailout package that Congress approved.
(2) It will start 1/1/10. They won't have the bill crafted before the end of this year, so they will have to start Jan 2010, because most insurance starts Jan 1 of any year.
(3) It will supercede any state mental health laws.
(4) It will cover all plans, except small businesses with less than a certain number of employees. Maybe 50? I don't remember.
(5) It will close the loophole of privately funded plans who have not previously been affected by parity laws.
(6) The main criteria, like medical conditions, for treatment is simply "medical necessity."
I celebrate this because my employer-offered insurance is a privately funded plan, and they are exempt from my state parity law which covers everyone else! I always thought this was really unfair and have paid a lot out of pocket for my mental health care. This will end on Jan 1, 1010 - hooray! Not only will it be financially rewarding, it is FAIR!
The woman I spoke to in DC said there is widespread bipartisan support for mental health parity. It's about time the insurance companies stopped discriminating against us.
A victory for us!
Hope this answers your questions.
Lucie Lu
Posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2008, at 19:56:31
In reply to Answers about the new MH parity bill... » Phil, posted by lucie lu on October 16, 2008, at 23:46:04
Someone I know working in Dc said that all of McCain's money is coming from the drug companies and vote Obama for medical care. Someone I trust a lot. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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