WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Psychiatric Association applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for issuing final rules to strengthen the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and improve access to quality care for mental health and substance use disorders. The rules, issued by the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services, reinforce that insurance plans must analyze and document limits to mental health and substance use disorders benefits, and ensure they are no more restrictive than those applied to medical/surgical benefits.

This is the first update to MHPAEA rules in almost 10 years and will improve access to timely care for mental health and substance use disorders. They codify the requirements, enacted by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, that insurers perform and document comparative analyses for all non-quantitative treatment limitations (i.e. prior authorizations, step therapy) imposed on mental health and substance use disorder services and make those analyses available to state and federal regulators and plan beneficiaries upon request. Under the new rules, insurers will be expected to produce information on outcomes, such as claims denials, and to take actions to address material differences in access to care.

“APA has always been a strong advocate for mental health parity, and since its enactment, APA has worked tirelessly to advocate for compliance with and enforcement of the federal parity law,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Marketa M. Wills, M.D., M.B.A. "This is a big step forward to hold insurance plans accountable by ensuring the law’s intent is fulfilled and that more individuals will be able to access the mental health and substance use treatment they need.”

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,900 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.