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Departments release FAQs on ACA, Mental Health Parity

Posted on November 22, 2011 | No Comments

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According to a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) recently released by the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Treasury (DOT), and Labor (DOL), the final rule under an Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision, which requires health care insurers and group health plans to make available to consumers a standardized summary of the benefits and coverage for each plan they offer, will be released “as soon as possible.” The FAQs pertain to implementation of ACA market reform provisions and mental health parity requirements. Until this final rule is released, plans are not required to comply with the proposed rule’s provisions. The ACA requires plans to provide consumers with a standardized form containing definitions of benefits and information on coverage. Along with the benefits and coverage summary, the departments also included several FAQs addressing the implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which mandates equal treatment for medical and surgical care and mental health and substance use disorder care in areas such as out-of-pocket costs and benefit limits and practices.

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The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration published a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Amongst other topics, the FAQs address...
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