First few Article Sentences
President Joe Biden signed the $1.7 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which will have a significant impact on the behavioral health industry, on December 29, 2022.
Strengthening of Federal Parity Laws
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (federal parity law) stipulates that the insurance coverage for mental health conditions, including substance use disorder, provided by group health plans cannot be more restrictive than coverage for other medical conditions. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act expanded federal parity laws to individual health plans.
Non-federal government entities, like states, municipalities, school districts, and other public systems, were exempted. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, the ability to completely opt out has been removed.