Media coverage has continued for the mental health parity bill, and whether or not it will become law. Basically, the main idea of the bill is that it would require insurance companies to provide mental health coverage at the same level that they provide physical health coverage. The bill is not new, and has been met with opposition for years despite bi-partisan support. Yesterday, NPR has a nice piece on the history of the bill and all of the various opposition it has met. In general, I support efforts that make treatment for psychological issues more accessible and affordable, and I hope that this effort finally produces a new law.
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3 Comments to
“Mental Health Parity Bill”
I’m definitely for parity for mental health insurance. Why should people be treated differently when the mind/brain is ill than when the heart malfunctions? I would also like to see the clause “pre-existing condition” be removed from ALL insurance claims. If this isn’t removed, how can a person coming off disability or a long term bout with their SMI ever expect to obtain health insurance affordably?
This bill does not go far enough nor does it amend ERISA. It continues the managed care practices that have caused mayhem in the lives of those in need of treatment.
The hearings on this bill may bring out the daunting barriers that require prior authorization, concurrent review, retroactive review and medical necessity used by insurance companies to delay, deny and divert treatment to networks under the control of insurance companies.
Allen McQuarrie
PRO-ACT Southeast Pa. Public Policy Committee
I am very much in support of the parity law. This situation is impacting me personally. I have an eating disorder, and I’ve been in treatment for over four years. My husband and I have been forced to pay out of pocket for part of my therapy because Cigna, our insurance carrier, refuses to cover all of my visits. They also put my doctor through a process that requires justification for my ongoing treatment. I have not entered any treatment facilities, my therapy is on an outpatient basis, and has been very successful. Unfortunately, eating disorders have triggers that make the process difficult to maintain. One of the worst triggers for me is when I am informed by my doctor, that my insurance has cut me off once again. All of my problems with this have been documented by my physician, my nutritionist and my psychologist. These are people who have seen me work very hard to gain control over this, and have watched as Cigna covered every doctor and nutritionist visit, yet place major stumbling blocks in my way with respect to psychotherapy. People with eating disorders usually do not end their therapy by conquering the disorder. They end their therapy because insurance has cut them off. Many people have died from ED. Many more will die if this law is not put into effect. I just hope and pray that I am not one of them. Sincerely, Ann
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 9 Jan 2007
