Which law requires insurers to offer coverage for mental health services at parity with physical health services?

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act is the law that mandates insurers to provide mental health and substance use disorder services on par with medical and surgical benefits. This means that the financial limitations, treatment limitations, and the overall scope of services for mental health must be comparable to those for physical health.

This act was designed to address the disparities that have historically existed between coverage for physical health services and mental health services, which often included stricter limits, higher co-pays, and less access to care for mental health treatment. By ensuring parity, the law promotes equal treatment for individuals seeking mental health services, reflecting the understanding that mental health is as crucial as physical health for overall well-being.

The other options, while related to health care, do not specifically address the parity requirement for mental health and substance use services. For instance, the Affordable Care Act expanded health insurance coverage but does not, by itself, guarantee parity. Likewise, the Disability Act focuses on disability rights and protections, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act deals primarily with the protection of patient information and privacy, rather than coverage parity.