* UPDATED 5/12/09: Public comments on Mental Health Parity Law requested

On January 1, 2010, the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) will go into effect.*

The regulations that will govern implementation of the law are currently being written by the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Treasury.**

In light of these developments:

• Hayes will keep our clients informed of any news regarding the regulations (see update). Webinar guest speaker David Wellstone provided current information regarding the MHPA to Hayes clients on February 26. Listen to the recording here. Hayes will continue to share information as it becomes available.
• Hayes has established a Mental and Behavioral Health specialty area that provides the evidence base necessary to develop evidence-based coverage policies for Mental and Behavioral Health technologies, in the same way that Hayes assessments support evidence-based coverage policies about tests and interventions for medical conditions

* This law requires that group health plans of 51 or more employees that cover mental health disorders do so to the same extent as they cover physical health disorders. Health plans may use their discretion regarding which disorders they will cover, and will retain the ability to make determinations about coverage based on medical necessity in a particular case. Medical necessity criteria must be shared with the beneficiary and contracting providers upon request.

** These regulations will determine the details of the impact of the law on health plans, providers, and patients.