The Obama administration has finally decided that mental illness should be treated as that of physical illness. The new rule dictates that the insurance companies should charge similar co-payments on both illnesses and give the patients the same rights.
"This final rule breaks down barriers that stand in the way of treatment and recovery services for millions of Americans," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told USA Today. "Building on these rules, the Affordable Care Act is expanding mental health and substance use disorder benefits and parity protections to 62 million Americans. This historic expansion will help make treatment more affordable and accessible."
Aside from making the charges even, the HHS is also aiming to expand the consumer rights of the patients such as the equal care for in-patients and out-patients for all health care plan standards across all states and hospitals.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 2 out of 10 Americans 18 and above are being diagnosed with a mental disorder each year.
The new rule will clearly define how treatment should be implemented in favor of the patients who need mental care. Once everyone complies with it, it will definitely revolutionize care. The rule has been in place since 2008 under Bush administration but quite short when it comes to implementation.
Sebelius decided to revisit the implementation of the rule after she met former first lady Rosalynn Carter in a mental health conference in Atlanta who told her about the issue. HHS is now working with the Treasury Department for the rule change announcement.
As expected, the insurance industry will complain about the rule. They argued that they have evidence that making mental and physical illnesses equal is very difficult. However, mental experts already said the other way around.
Despite the opposition of the insurance companies, the government is serious in fully implementing the new rule as it will be less costly in the long run.
