Mental Health Treatment
In 1996, the United States Congress enacted a number of important measures affecting health and health care insurance coverage, including one of particular interest that addressed medical benefits and the mentally ill. More specifically, the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 requires employers to increase dollar limits for mental health coverage to the equivalent of the limits for medical care. Although this new mental health parity law is viewed as a victory for the mentally ill and mental health advocates, it is widely considered to be narrow in scope. In addition to other limitations, this law does not impose any conditions on deductibles, copayments, or limits on days or visits. Therefore, the law does not provide parity, in the true definition of the word, and does not completely eliminate discriminatory coverage. Rather, this law is viewed more as a historic first step toward equalizing health insurance plan coverage for treatment of mental illnesses and other medical conditions. Because of the limitations of the federal provision, a growing number of states have decided to explore this issue more comprehensively and now require at least some level of insurance coverage for mental illnesses. The measure to be under con
This law does not apply to substance abuse treatment, nor does it affect service limits, such as outpatient visits, or cost sharing, such as deductibles. Treating mental illness is open-ended: Individuals may spend weeks or months in the hospital with no cure in sight, or in sessions of weekly therapy with a mental health expert. Once coverage is applied to those with clearly defined mental problems, it will gradually expand to medicalizing everyday problems. Outpatient treatment and rehabilitation programs for people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other brain disorders can reduce psychiatric rehospitalization rates, improve quality of life, prevent homelessness, and increase the likelihood of gainful employment. sideration is designed to cover any condition or disorder involving mental illness, and alcohol or substance abuse. This topic will most likely be revisited on a federal level as well. The bill does not mandate mental health coverage. Additionally, there may be some unwillingness to equate mental illness with other physical diseases of the body. Outcomes continue to improve with increased duration of treatment. 6 billion spent for treating brain disorders in the United States in 1990, 57 percent was paid for by taxpayer money. Parity may cause employers to negotiate with insurance carriers to drop coverage of some physical ailments or to raise overall deductibles or copayments for all doctors= visits in order to cover mental health treatment and keep premiums to a minimum. Pharmaceutical treatment regiments have reduced patient expenses.
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Acceptance Essays
