Mental Health Parity Act Despite New Federal Standards, Mental Health Benefits Remain Limited

To address the discrepancies in coverage between mental & other illnesses, Congress passed the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996. It prohibits employers from imposing annual or lifetime dollar limits on mental health coverage that are more restrictive than those imposed on medical & surgical coverage. In preparation for the law's Sept. 30, 2001 sunset & possible reauthorization, this report discusses: the extent to which employers comply with the law & how they have revised their health plans; the law's effect on claims costs; & the steps Federal agencies have taken to ensure compliance with the law. Charts & tables.Dicken, John is the author of 'Mental Health Parity Act Despite New Federal Standards, Mental Health Benefits Remain Limited' with ISBN 9780756703219 and ISBN 0756703212.