Parity Required for Substance Abuse Treatment

The federal government has ruled that insurers can't deny coverage to people who have substance abuse disorders.

Group health plans that offer mental health and substance abuse benefits must fund out-of-pocket costs, benefit limits and other practices the same as they would for other claims. The rules are spelled out in the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, according to HealthDayNews through Business Week.

"These practices must be based on the same level of scientific evidence used by the insurer for medical and surgical benefits," the U.S. Health and Human Services Department said in a news release. "For example, a plan may not apply separate deductibles for treatment related to mental health or substance abuse disorders and medical and surgical benefits -- they must be calculated as one limit."