{"id":355849,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/healthcare\/patient-rights\/what-is-the-mental-health-parity-act.html"},"modified":"2026-08-19T16:45:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T21:45:00","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
\n

What Is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires health insurers to provide mental health and substance use disorder benefits on equal terms with medical and surgical care. Plans can\u2019t impose stricter limits, higher costs, or more restrictive rules on behavioral health treatment than they do on physical health services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Mental health is a critical aspect of your overall health. It shouldn’t be treated differently than physical health, although many view it as such.<\/p>\n

Congress passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act<\/a> (MHPAEA) in 2009. This federal parity (equality) law ensures that insurers offering mental health coverage treat mental health coverage the same way they treat physical health coverage. Under the MHPAEA, health insurers must provide equal benefits for mental health and physical health conditions and providers.<\/p>\n

This article outlines coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services. If your plan isn\u2019t meeting parity requirements, a healthcare attorney near you<\/a> can explain your rights and pursue corrective action.<\/p>\n

Mental Health Coverage in the U.S.<\/h2>\n

Millions of Americans struggle every year with mental illness and substance use disorder. The\u00a0National Alliance on Mental Illness<\/a>\u00a0(NAMI) is a mental health advocacy organization. According to NAMI, the following groups experience some form of mental illness each year:<\/p>\n