October 2008 a milestome piece of legislation was signed that will change health insurance in a big way. The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 is one for the record books. It requires that all group plans with 50 or more memebers must treat a mental illness like any other disease or illness. It applies to substance abuse treatment as well.
The new law will mean that if a person is receiving treatment with a diagnosis of mental illness or substance abuse they will expect the very same benefits as if they had a cold or high blood pressure. This means the same limits will apply as well as the same maximums and minimums.
It will not be unitl January of 2010 before we see the new law take effect. There was one man that took a personal interest and made this law a reality. His name is Pete Domenici a retired Republican from New Mexico. Pete has a brother and a daughter who suffer froma mental illness and has seen first hand the expense.
Mr. Domenici along with the late Paul Wellstone did everything under their power to make this law happen. Mr. Domenici says he took a personal interest in this law after watching his brother stuggle with the expenses incurred with his mental illness. He also has a daughter that suffers from mental illness.
This new law will not benefit all health insurance policy holders. It is set to impact 113 million, but these will only be those ina large group of 50 or more participants. People who carry small group or individual health insurance will not see the change.
If consumers push for change you could possibly see carriers increase mental illness and substance abuse coverages for all. If just one carrier increase a benefit you will see others follow that path as well. However, I would be surprised to see this happen anytime soon.
Since health insurance is consumer driven I would expect to see some sort of changes in the future. As stated before then you will see a domino effect happen in the insurance industry. Having added benefits for a mental illness or substance abuse makes a good bargaining tool for carriers.
Many believe alot of changes are needed in the healthcare industry. This new law is one very positive step in the right direction. There are many activist out there celebrating this law. Many consumers have new hope. I am very excited to see what new changes are in store for us in the future in the healthcare industry. - 18300
The new law will mean that if a person is receiving treatment with a diagnosis of mental illness or substance abuse they will expect the very same benefits as if they had a cold or high blood pressure. This means the same limits will apply as well as the same maximums and minimums.
It will not be unitl January of 2010 before we see the new law take effect. There was one man that took a personal interest and made this law a reality. His name is Pete Domenici a retired Republican from New Mexico. Pete has a brother and a daughter who suffer froma mental illness and has seen first hand the expense.
Mr. Domenici along with the late Paul Wellstone did everything under their power to make this law happen. Mr. Domenici says he took a personal interest in this law after watching his brother stuggle with the expenses incurred with his mental illness. He also has a daughter that suffers from mental illness.
This new law will not benefit all health insurance policy holders. It is set to impact 113 million, but these will only be those ina large group of 50 or more participants. People who carry small group or individual health insurance will not see the change.
If consumers push for change you could possibly see carriers increase mental illness and substance abuse coverages for all. If just one carrier increase a benefit you will see others follow that path as well. However, I would be surprised to see this happen anytime soon.
Since health insurance is consumer driven I would expect to see some sort of changes in the future. As stated before then you will see a domino effect happen in the insurance industry. Having added benefits for a mental illness or substance abuse makes a good bargaining tool for carriers.
Many believe alot of changes are needed in the healthcare industry. This new law is one very positive step in the right direction. There are many activist out there celebrating this law. Many consumers have new hope. I am very excited to see what new changes are in store for us in the future in the healthcare industry. - 18300
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