2022.12.01
Fifth and Final Discussion Draft strengthens laws and regulations aimed at achieving equal access to mental health care as physical health care in Medicare and Medicaid
washington dc – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senate Finance Committee Member Senator Michael Bennett (D-Colorado), and Richard Burr Burr, RN.C.) announced the discussion today. Draft containing policies aimed at improving mental health parity in Medicare and Medicaid and equating access to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services with physical health care. Mental health equality includes a set of laws aimed at ensuring equal coverage of mental and physical health care by health insurance.
“The concept of equality in mental health is too often out of touch with reality.” Weiden said. “These policies represent the first steps in addressing the challenges of mental health equality and ghost networks, and we plan to build them in the coming months. It’s a challenge we hear consistently from families at home, experts covered by insurance networks, and committees meeting throughout the year to address the many policies aimed at improving mental health care for Americans. I am proud to announce, some of which are already laws, and I am enacting these policies to ensure that every American has access to mental health care when they need it. I will keep working for you.”
“These proposals will help collect additional data and increase transparency to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to affordable mental health services on par with their access to physical health services. It helps.” Crapo said. “We thank Senators Bennett and Barr for their work on this discussion draft, and look forward to receiving feedback from our colleagues and stakeholders on each mental health debate draft.”
“Traveling through Colorado, I constantly hear stories of the mental and behavioral health challenges Coloradoans and their children experience and the difficulty of finding affordable, quality care. I hear you: we need to change our approach so that the health care system can equitably address both mental and physical health.” Bennett said. “These policies are a step towards achieving equality and we will continue to work to rethink our mental and behavioral health systems to provide better care for Coloradans and their families across the country. .”
“Mental health services are a critical healthcare need as our country recovers from the pandemic.” Burr said. “This discussion draft promotes sensible policies that bring to the forefront the importance of ensuring patients have the information they need to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families. We look forward to receiving your comments.”
The Policy for Discussion Drafts is as follows:
- Improve the accuracy of the provider directory for Medicare Advantage plans.
- Enhances Medicaid requirements for managed care organizations and states to maintain a regularly updated provider directory. This includes information about accessing care from behavioral health professionals.
- Directs GAO to conduct a study on differences in subscriber cost sharing and utilization management between behavioral and non-behavioral health services in Medicare Advantage and compared to traditional Medicare.
- Requires Medicare to provide guidance to health care providers detailing the extent to which Medicare beneficiaries with drug use disorders may receive partial inpatient program services.
- Instructs GAO to report Medicaid payment rates for behavioral health services compared to medical and surgical services across a sample of states.
This discussion draft on mental health equality is the fifth and final legislative draft released by the Finance Committee since the launch of the bipartisan mental health initiative. first timewas released in May and focuses on telemedicine policy. Secondreleased in June, focuses on youth mental health. number 3was released in September and focuses on expanding the mental health care workforce. the 4thwas released in November and focuses on integrating physical and mental health care providers.
Full text of discussion draft available hereA summary of all provisions published by the Commission as part of the bipartisan mental health effort, including mental health equivalence, is available. here.
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