NYAPRS Note: Highlighting the need for increased education around MH and addiction service parity, the APA sites a survey administered online in which only four percent of Americans are aware of the law and the extent of their insurance benefits. As the national debate becomes more heated across party lines regarding appropriate access to MH emergency and community services, the question of consumer rights and education is rarely discussed. In fact, a concerted effort by some politicians seeks to dismantle SAMHSA out of concerns that their engagement and education strategies are a waste of federal money that could be diverted to increased emergency services. We will never be able to reach people when they need it most if they are scared of accessing treatment because of unknown benefits; this is not only prescient in the ACA transition, but as BH benefits are carved into managed care in NY in 2015 and new recovery-based services become available, client education and outreach must be the first element of care management and engagement.
Few Americans Aware of Their Rights for Mental Health Coverage
APA survey reveals only 4 percent of Americans know about mental health parity law; 5/20/2014
Even though more than 1 in 4 Americans (27 percent) have received treatment or therapy from a mental health professional, few people know that health insurers are required to provide coverage for mental health, behavioral health and substance-use disorders that is comparable to coverage for physical health, according to a new survey from the American Psychological Association.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed in 2008, but only 4 percent of Americans say they are aware of the law, according to the survey, which was commissioned by APA and conducted online between March 7 and 24, 2014, among more than 1,000 adult Americans by Harris Poll. Despite increased national attention on mental health and access to services, in particular with the ongoing National Dialogue on Mental Health led by the White House, awareness of the law has not increased since APA last surveyed on this issue in 2010.
“More access to mental health care is the rallying cry, but the simple fact is many people may already have coverage and not know it or not understand how to use it,” said Katherine C. Nordal PhD, APA’s executive director for professional practice. “The mental health parity law, together with the Affordable Care Act, has expanded mental health treatment opportunities to many Americans in need who may otherwise have gone untreated. But laws don’t have the intended effect when people don’t know that they exist.”
Under the parity law, insurance companies must provide mental and behavioral health coverage that is equal to or better than coverage for physical health, with no annual limits or higher copays or deductibles for treatment of mental health disorders or substance use. The law applies to most employer-provided health plans and to individual plans purchased through the new state and federal health insurance exchanges.
While the APA survey found that 61 percent of adults reported that they have adequate mental health coverage, many report details of their insurance coverage that are at odds with provisions of the parity law. Almost 3 in 10 (29 percent) of Americans said their insurance has different copays or other limits for mental health care. Almost 1 in 4 (24 percent) said they aren’t sure if their insurance offers the same coverage for mental and physical health, and only slightly more than half of people (56 percent) said that their current health insurance provides coverage to see a psychologist or other mental health professional.
According to results from APA’s survey, when asked why they or a family member would not seek treatment, concerns about the cost of treatment was the most frequently cited reason, with more than 1 in 5 (22 percent) saying that cost was a barrier to seeking treatment. When asked what information they would need before being treated by a psychologist or mental health professional, 75 percent said they would need to know if they take insurance, whereas 68 percent said they would need to know if they are comfortable with their provider.
APA has developed resources, including a consumer guide and an informative video to help educate the public about their mental health coverage.
Mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 41 million Americans were estimated to experience mental illness in 2012, the most recent year for which figures are available. SAMHSA also reports that an estimated 10.7 million Americans had an unmet need for mental health treatment.
This survey was conducted online within the United States by the Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association between March 7 and 24, 2014, among 1,000 adults aged 18 and older who reside in the U.S. A full methodology is available online.
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/05/mental-health-coverage.aspx