The landmark Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) sought to end health insurance discrimination between mental health/substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits.

The law does not require a health plan to offer mental health/substance use disorder benefits, but when they are offered, they must be on par with any physician/surgical plan benefits.

AACAP is actively involved in the implementation of the federal law, as well as efforts to advocate for more expansive parity through state legislation.

Resources:

• U.S. Department of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services MHPAEA final regulations and guidance
• AACAP Comments on Strategies for Improving Parity for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage (August 7, 2017)
• AACAP Comments on Interim Final Rules under the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (May 5, 2010)
• AACAP Comments on the Implementation of the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (May 28, 2009)
• AACAP Policy Statement: Parity and Access for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care
• The Kennedy Forum's Parity Track
• Milliman Research Report Addiction and mental health vs. physical health: Analyzing disparities in network use and provider reimbursement rates
• Parity Implementation Coalition