Question

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires that large self-funded group health plans and large employment-related health plans:

a: include mental health benefits for an additional cost of no more than $100
b: include mental health benefits for children who have experienced trauma
c: provide mental health benefits that are no more restrictive in terms of dollar limitations and treatment limitations than benefits for medical and surgical coverage
d: offer add-on packages that pay for mental health services

Answer 1

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires large health plans to provide mental health benefits on par with medical and surgical benefits, without additional restrictions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 mandates that large self-funded group health plans and large employment-related health plans provide mental health benefits that are no more restrictive than benefits for medical and surgical coverage. This means that the financial requirements (such as co-pays and deductibles) and treatment limitations (such as the number of visits or days of coverage) must be comparable for both mental health/substance use disorders and medical/surgical benefits. The Act represents a significant step towards equality in health insurance coverage, ensuring that those with mental health and substance use disorders receive the care they need without additional barriers or limitations.