How Do Health Insurance Companies Provide Group Mental Health Coverage?
Some health insurance plans offer mental health benefits and some plans offer substance abuse treatment benefits. If you have group health insurance that includes mental health benefits or substance abuse care benefits, then there are specific legal requirements regarding your mental health coverage and substance abuse benefits. If your plan offers medical benefits and mental health benefits, then the annual maximum dollar amount of coverage and lifetime maximum dollar amount of coverage for mental health benefits cannot be lower than the same maximum coverage amounts for medical benefits. Annual and lifetime maximum parity requirements also apply to substance abuse benefits if your plan offers substance abuse care benefits. Deductibles and co-payments for mental health coverage and substance abuse benefits must not be higher than deductibles and co-payments for medical benefits. Limitations on numbers of office visits cannot be more restrictive for mental health benefits and substance
