Bailout Plan Also Contains Mental Illness Insurance Provisions
(Washington, DC) -- The 700-billion-dollar bank bailout plan also contains provisions to benefit Americans with mental illnesses and addiction problems. The measure's known as mental health parity, health insurers are required to give the same level of coverage for mental illness and substance abuse treatment as other conditions. They are barred from charging higher deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance or out-of-pocket expenses. It also prevents insurance companies from setting limits that include frequency of treatment, doctor visits and days of coverage for the treatment of mental illness and addiction problems.
Although the legislation does not force providers to offer mental health coverage, it makes those that do offer the insurance on the same level as medical and surgical care. The measure is a win for advocates for the mentally ill who say insurers often fail to provide coverage to those who suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia and depression. |