Equity in Private Insurance Coverage for Substance Abuse: a Perspective on Parity

Overview

Journal Health Aff (Millwood)

Specialty Health Services

Date 2007 Oct 25

PMID 17956926

Citations 9

Authors

Colleen L Barry

Jody L Sindelar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Congress is considering enactment of comprehensive parity legislation. The intent of parity is to equalize private coverage of behavioral and general medical care, thereby improving efficiency and fairness in insurance markets. One issue is whether to extend parity to substance abuse (SA) benefits. In the past, inclusion of substance abuse has been a hurdle to passage of parity. We examine the politics of SA parity, compare coverage trends for substance abuse and mental health, and assess the rationale for equalizing benefits. We conclude that the justification for SA parity is as compelling as it is for mental health parity.

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