Posted by Noa on December 21, 2001, at 6:31:02
In reply to Re: Parity, posted by susan C on December 20, 2001, at 21:42:23
That is rotten.
At this point, though, I think the State level is where people can be most effective.
Also, one of the problems with federal parity legislation is that in states where parity "floors" are decent, the federal parity "floor" would come in *lower* and undermine what is offered in the state.
ALso, people should know about the practice of not advertising existing parity laws in states that have them. I don't know how they get away with this, but in states with parity laws, insurance companies and consumers go on operating as if there *aren't* the parity laws. Nobody lets the consumer know, the insurance pays at the mental health coverage rates and the consumer just assumes that is the law. Call your state insurance commissioner to find out. If there is parity, ask them for a letter to that effect, and then submit it to your insurance company with your own letter to request that they pay at the same rates they pay for other health care. Or ask the commissioner's office if they take reports of companies not complying with the law.
poster:Noa
thread:15816
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011216/msgs/15839.html