The Mental Health Parity And Addiction Act - 1533 Words

Introduction: The policy I will be analysing is called The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Act (MHPAEA) of 2008. This act requires the same level of benefits for substance use treatment and mental services as one would receive for medical care from their health insurance. The MHPAEA’s requirements were expanded by the Affordable Care Act that some health insurance plans should cover mental health and substance abuse treatment and services. This act will allow many social workers to treat more patients with low incomes and that have substance use disorders. It can further aid to impoverished substance abusers that normally would not be able to receive treatment. Social Problem that necessitates this policy: The social problem of addiction is quite prevalent in our society. Many individuals from all different ethnic problems have turned to drugs at some point in their life. Substance use disorder can have compelling ramifications on the health of the abuser, their family and even the communities they live in. In 2012, around 23.1 million Americans aged 12 and older needed treatment for substance use (SAMHSA, 2014). The rate of people that have abused substances ranging from alcohol, pills, Marijuana, Heroin and cocaine etc. has escalated greatly over the years.Many teenagers or even adults aren t aware of the treatment options and/or they don t have the necessary funding to receive it. This problem can continue to grow and cause a huge strain on the countries economyShow MoreRelatedMental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act1293 Words   |  6 PagesThe Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was enacted on October 3, 2008 as sections 5 11 and 512 of the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008. MHPAEA amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Federal Register, 2013). The MHPAEA is an extension of the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, which prohibited annual or aggregateRead MoreThe Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act Of 20081410 Words   |  6 Pagespart in mental health care services available to the public. They can determine what options and treatments are available and how much an individual will pay for them. Recent policies including the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, the Affordable Care Act, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act work to expand access to coverage. It is important to know how policies play a role in the health care that individuals receive. The Mental Health Parity and AddictionRead MorePolicy Analysis : Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act Of 20081203 Words   |  5 PagesPolicy Analysis: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 Current health plans are discriminatory in nature, premiums are based on age, sex, medical history, unhealthy habits, current health status, and what diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions are covered expenses, limiting coverage to services that are medically necessary (Weber, 2013; Smaldone, Cullen-Drill, 2010). Insurers base coverage decisions of like pools, thus â€Å"healthier† people are not required to subsidize the costRead MoreEmployee Retirement Income Security Act ( Erisa ) And The Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act1265 Words   |  6 PagesUnder the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), plan participants and providers are entitled to receive access to certain plan information, reasons for denial of coverage or benefits, and copies of the medical necessity criteria used to make benefit determinations. In order to facilitate these document requests, NYSPA prepared form letter s that can be used by psychiatrists and patients. Through document requests and sharingRead MoreHealthcare Concerning Mental Illness Essay1584 Words   |  7 PagesHealthcare Concerning Mental Illness As of now, there is no general consensus that would require states to cover mental health (Cauchi, Landess, Thangasamy 2011). Out of the 49 states that do cover mental illness, there are three main categories that vary considerably; mental health â€Å"parity† or equal coverage laws, minimum mandated mental health benefit laws, and mental health â€Å"mandated offering laws.† Mental illness is as serious a condition as any other health condition. It should be coveredRead MoreLack Of Treatment For Mental Illness1523 Words   |  7 Pages Problem Statement: The World Health Association defines ‘good’ health as: â€Å"a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.† However, in the United States, access to care and funding for mental health care are grossly neglected and underfunded in comparison to other aspects of health care. At the individual level, lack of proper treatment for poor mental health and mental illness has a detrimental effect. At a population level, societyRead MoreThe Healthcare Policy Area I Choose For The Research Is Mental Health1073 Words   |  5 Pagesfor the research is mental health. People can experience different types of mental illness, which can affect their thinking, mood, and behavior. Examples of mental health disorders are depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and addictive behaviors. Many people have mental health concerns, but those concerns convert to mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause recurrent stress and affect their capability to function. A mental illness can make peopleRead MoreDrug Policy And Funding Has Not Changed Much Over The Past Two Decades1505 Words   |  7 Pagesthat the United States still has a policy of criminalizing drug users and not the treatment of them. Treatment and prevention of drug addiction in the United States needs to be a priority for many reasons. Drug addiction is affecting individuals and families from all different backgrounds across the United States. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] (2016), â€Å"In 2014, about 21.5 million Americans ages 12 and older (8.1%) were classified with a substanceRead MoreHealth And Health Care Act1380 Words   |  6 Pagesa big role in bringing about parity in the health care sector. The 2010 Affordable Health Care Act, the 1996 Mental Health Parity Act and various other legislations have improved the accessibility, affordability and quality of group health plans and insurance plans. Although a few loop holes and old laws continue o hamper efforts to bring about health care parity, the legislations are a big step in the right direction. The efforts aimed to integrate behavioral health services into mainstream medicalRead MoreThe Cost Of Psychiatric Care945 Words   |  4 Pagesis average reimbursement? Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance pay for mental health services; however, out-of-pocket payments were the highest form of payment for adults and children receiving psychiatric care. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), which is a resource that provides information regarding health services of the United States, had published explaining that out-of-pocket payments for mental health services increased from 35.2 billion dollars in 1996 to 57.5 billion dollars