{"id":355849,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/what-is-the-mental-health-parity-act.html"},"modified":"2024-03-19T16:45:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T21:45:11","slug":"what-is-the-mental-health-parity-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/what-is-the-mental-health-parity-act.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Mental health is a part of your health. It shouldn’t be treated differently than physical health, although many view it as such. Congress passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act<\/a> (MHPAEA) in 2009. This federal parity law ensures that insurers offering mental health coverage treat mental health as they do physical health. Under the MHPAEA, health insurers must provide equal benefits for mental health and physical health conditions and providers.<\/p>\r\n

This FindLaw article explores coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services.<\/p>\r\n

Mental Health Coverage<\/h2>\r\n

Millions of Americans struggle every year with mental illness and substance use disorder. The National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/a> (NAMI) is a mental health advocacy organization. According to NAMI, the following groups experience some form of mental illness each year:<\/p>\r\n