 CIGNA has developed new mental health and chemical dependency coverage options that are compliant with the requirements of HR 1424, the federal bill signed into law last October. The bill included several provisions that translated into significant changes to the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act.
New requirements
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| These New Requirements are Effective for New Business as of October 3, 2009, and for Renewal as of November 1, 2009. |
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The law requires that plans provide the same access to mental health and substance abuse treatment as they do for medical coverage. However, the law only applies if the plan covers mental health and substance abuse and does not require this coverage. In fact, plans are permitted to exclude all mental health and substance abuse coverage (unless required by state law), and small employers with 50 or fewer employees are exempt from the law.
Updated benefit and coverage standards
Coverage levels must be the same or better for mental health or substance abuse coverage as they are for medical in the following categories:
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Copays |
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Coinsurance1 |
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Day and visit limits |
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Deductibles2 |
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Out-of-pocket maximums |
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Annual and lifetime maximums |
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Network options |
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Out-of-network options |
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The percentage of the cost of your covered medical expenses after you meet your deductible. |
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The amount you pay before your plan starts to pay. |
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