Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is a federal law that ensures fairness in health care coverage. It prevents group health plans and health insurance providers from imposing less favorable limitations on mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits compared to medical and surgical benefits. Originally applying to group health plans, it was expanded to cover individual health insurance through amendments introduced by the Affordable Care Act.
The American Medical Association (AMA) supports MHPAEA, advocating for its comprehensive implementation and raising awareness of its provisions. Through various initiatives and collaborations, the AMA works toward a health care system where mental health equity becomes a reality for all, championing equal access to mental health and substance use disorder treatments.
