DOL Issues Final Rules Strengthening Access to Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Benefits

To ensure people with private health coverage have equitable access to mental health and substance use disorder care, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) released the final rules implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) earlier this month. 

The new rules add additional protections against more restrictive, nonquantitative treatment limitations for mental health and substance use disorder benefits as compared to medical or surgical benefits. Nonquantitative treatment limitations are requirements that limit the scope or duration of benefits, such as prior authorization requirements, step therapy and standards for provider admission to participate in a network.

The final rules also prohibit plans from using biased or non-objective information and sources that might negatively impact access to mental health and substance use disorder care when designing and applying a nonquantitative treatment limitation.

“Like medical care, mental health care is vital to the well-being of America’s workers,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “The final rules issued today make it easier for people living with mental health conditions and substance use disorders to get the life-saving care they often need.”

For more information, read the full release.

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