![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by finelinebob on August 15, 2006, at 4:18:45
How many of you are fortunate enough to have them?
Makes me want to move to New Jersey ... almost.
Parity laws are laws that require health plans to treat mental health and substance abuse programs on an equal basis as any other biologically-based disorder, such as diabetes.
In New York, we have a movement behind something called Timothy's Law -- you can read all about it and get some facts about parity here as well: http://www.timothyslaw.org/
When it comes down to it, folks, parity for mental health is cost-effective, and that is all these HMO's seem to care about. Delta Airlines started their own parity health plan -- can't recall the exact details, but this was the result -- for every $1 spent to pay for parity of treatment, they got $1.50 back in increased productivity, reduced sick days, etc, etc.
So who has it, who wants it, and whatcha all gonna do about it if you don't got it?
Posted by Dinah on August 15, 2006, at 9:35:10
In reply to Mental Health Parity Laws, posted by finelinebob on August 15, 2006, at 4:18:45
I've been reading articles in Psychotherapy Networker, I think, that seem to say parity laws have come at the detriment of at least some of the mentally ill. I can't quite recall the discussion now.
Something about parity being offered, but the managed care part of the parity strongly favoring certain sorts of treatment that may not be in the best interests of all patients? And very few choices for those patients?
Posted by AuntieMel on August 15, 2006, at 13:08:54
In reply to Mental Health Parity Laws, posted by finelinebob on August 15, 2006, at 4:18:45
We have mental health parity of a sort in Texas. It says that *if* mental health coverage is available to an employee it is available on the same terms (co-pay, lifetime amount, etc) as regular coverage.
Unfortunately it doesn't apply to a lot of people. Anyone who works for a large employer (multi-state, self insured) is under federal rules, which don't require it.
The company I work for provides coverage, but it doesn't have the same yearly out-of-pocket limit as regular coverage.
Still, it's a whole heap better than nothing.
And it's wonderful to see you here.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Politics | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.