The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury recently issued their 2022 Report to Congress on mental health and addiction insurance parity. The report includes information that suggests health plans and health insurance issuers are failing to deliver parity for mental health and substance-use disorder benefits to those they cover. The report also highlights the departments’ recent emphasis on greater MHPAEA enforcement and technical assistance efforts.

In general, MHPAEA requires that the financial requirements and treatment limitations – such as copayments and prior authorization requirements imposed by a group health plan or health insurance issuer on mental health or substance-use disorder benefits – cannot be more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements and treatment limitations that apply to substantially all medical and surgical benefits. The report details the departments’ ongoing efforts to engage with stakeholders to reduce stigma and raise awareness amongst consumers and other stakeholders. Lastly, a fiscal year 2021 MHPAEA enforcement fact sheet was also shared along with the 2022 MHPAEA Report to Congress. The Ohio Council leads the Ohio Parity Coalition’s efforts to advocate for greater enforcement and awareness of the state and federal parity laws in Ohio.