The Biden administration’s mental health parity rule proposals are set to revolutionize the way the industry operates. One of the key elements of these proposals is a new test known as the “substantially all” test, which has caused concern among health care providers.
The test states that non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) must be applied equally to mental health benefits as they are to medical and surgical benefits under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This means that techniques used by providers to control costs for employee health plans may need to be adjusted in order to comply with the new standards.
The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury have emphasized the importance of ensuring that NQTLs are applied equally to mental health benefits in order to prevent discrimination. The aim is to promote parity in coverage for mental health and substance abuse benefits, ensuring that individuals have access to the care they need without facing unnecessary barriers.
While the proposal is still near-finalized, its implications for the health care industry are significant. Providers will need to adapt their cost-control techniques in order to comply with the new standards, potentially leading to changes in how mental health benefits are managed within employee health plans. It is a move towards equality and justice for those seeking mental health care, an important step forward for our society as a whole.
