New Regulations Clarify Mental Health Parity Law - Article Example

Employers are no longer permitted to have gatekeepers direct the type of mental health care available unless such restrictions are also placed on medical and surgical care. Similarly, employers cannot require participants to have to completely use the EAP benefits before receiving mental health treatment unless similar restrictions are placed on medical and surgical care. The article concludes by stating that there are still a number of areas that need to be resolved. One of these includes the extent to which prescription drugs will be covered by the new program.

Some wonder if step therapy will be required for such prescriptions. While companies have until July 2010 to meet the requirements, the laws took effect in October. Companies will be considered non-compliant if employees receive notifications saying that their deductible doesn’t cover mental health benefits. The article demonstrates the furthered integration of mental health into primary care practices.