First Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act public hearings held – State of Reform – State of Reform

Shawna De La Rosa | Nov 25, 2020

The Maryland Insurance Commissionheld its first virtual public hearing Monday on how to comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The hearing addressed legislation that requires insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations to submit reports to the Maryland Insurance Administration on how they are complying with the new law.

The law requires Commissioner Kathleen A. Birrane to adopt a standard report form and regulations by Dec. 31, 2021. The requirements include ensuring uniform definitions and methodologies that should be used by insurance carriers when preparing required reports.

Maryland Insurance Commission Kathleen Birrane

Milliman, Inc. provided national reports analyzing behavioral health disparities in network access and provider reimbursement. The Bowman Family Foundation addressed concerns about the non-quantitative treatment limitations that satisfy the reporting requirements. The Path Forward in the Mid-Atlantic also contributed comments.

The Hogan Administration is deeply committed to assuring that Marylanders have access to mental and behavioral health services, including substance abuse treatment, said Birrane in a statement. That includes addressing disparities in access to treatment. I welcome the opportunity to work with stakeholders to develop regulations to implement the parity reporting requirements that will allow us to identify and address those disparities.

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First Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act public hearings held - State of Reform - State of Reform