State news & legislation: Wisconsin Governor announces benefit of Federal Mental Health Parity; Wisconsin legislature deliberates on additional state coverage

A March 1,2010 press release from the Office of the [Wisconsin] Governor  Jim Doyle announced an additional health insurance benefit to those in Wisconsin, in addition to those afforded by the recently passed autism health insurance reform, through enactment of the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requirements.

"MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that mental health disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, will now be covered by health insurance providers at the same level as all other health conditions.  Implementation of the federal mental health parity law in Wisconsin will help people access mental health treatment they need, and families pursue all available treatments for children with autism.  The new federal requirement builds on the state’s requirement that all health insurance companies cover mental health and new requirement for coverage of autism treatment, which Governor Doyle signed into law in the 2009-2011 state budget...

The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requirements will require equal treatment coverage of mental health conditions including autism.  Wisconsin families enrolled in large group health plans will be affected by these changes.  Individual, small employer, and self-funded insurance plans will still have to comply with state autism coverage requirements..."

On a related note, Wisconsin's legislature is currently deliberating

The Wisconsin Parity Act (Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362, and Assembly Bill 512) 

which would provide mental health and substance abuse disorder insurance benefits at parity levels—equal to benefits for medical and surgical procedures—for 700,000 employees of Wisconsin’s small businesses not covered by the Federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, P.L. 110-343. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362 was passed in the Senate on January 28, 2010 and is currently in the Assembly, referred to the Committee on Rules. Assembly Bill 512 was passed with a do pass as amended recommendation from the Assembly Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform on February 26, 2010 and is also in the Committee on Rules at the present.

For more information

Full press release from the Office of the Governor [Wisconsin] Jim Doyle
March 1, 2010
Governor Doyle Announces Expanded Health Insurance Coverage will Benefit Families with Autism
New Federal Laws Will Further Help Children with Autism Access Full Treatment

Overview: Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
Mental Health America

Wisconsin State Legislature

Parity for Wisconsin fact sheet on Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362, and Assembly Bill 512

Past blog post
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time sensitive request for comment: Interim final rules to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
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