Equal payments for mental health services, parity for shorthand, kicked in on Jan. 1 and some people are beginning to see the effects even before the entire set of regulations go are released in July. The Washington Post reports how equal coverage for an outpatient visit, or a drug copay, is making a difference for eligible people previously hampered by the extra costs they could not afford. The law applies to individuals working in companies with 50 or more.
Parity for treating addictive and mental health disorders catches up with the recognition that these illnesses are biological, not character defects or willfull behavior. In that respect federal policy and reform will contribute to reducing stigma. Disagreements about whether to impose a separate deductible and copay were resolved by the decision to lump them into one, further recognition that medical and mental health disorders are linked.
