Federal government tries again to ensure insurers pay for mental health care

Rule will take effect 60 days after announcement
The Biden administration announced in early September 2024 the finalization of a significant new regulation aimed at ensuring that health insurers cover and pay for mental health care on equal footing with physical health conditions.
The move is part of a broader federal effort to address long-standing issues of inadequate mental health coverage for millions of Americans, despite existing laws that mandate parity – or equality – between mental and physical health services.
The regulation, first proposed last year by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury, is designed to close gaps in mental health care coverage. The lack of regulation has left many people with condi...