Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act

8/28/2023, 5:15 PM

Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act

This bill provides additional statutory authority and funding to enforce the mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements that apply to group and individual health insurance plans.

Bill 117 hr 7767, also known as the Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act, aims to improve access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services for individuals in the United States. The bill focuses on enhancing coverage for behavioral health benefits under private health insurance plans.

One key provision of the bill is the requirement for insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment services as they do for other medical services. This includes ensuring that individuals have access to a wide range of treatment options, including therapy, medication, and inpatient care.

Additionally, the bill seeks to address disparities in coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment by requiring insurance companies to provide clear and transparent information about their behavioral health benefits. This includes details on coverage limits, out-of-pocket costs, and network providers. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to strengthen enforcement of mental health parity laws, which require insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. This includes increased oversight by federal agencies to ensure that insurance companies are complying with these laws. Overall, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act aims to improve access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services for individuals in the United States by enhancing coverage and enforcement of mental health parity laws.
Congress
117

Number
HR - 7767

Introduced on
2022-05-13

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

5/13/2022

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act

This bill provides additional statutory authority and funding to enforce the mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements that apply to group and individual health insurance plans.

Bill 117 hr 7767, also known as the Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act, aims to improve access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services for individuals in the United States. The bill focuses on enhancing coverage for behavioral health benefits under private health insurance plans.

One key provision of the bill is the requirement for insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment services as they do for other medical services. This includes ensuring that individuals have access to a wide range of treatment options, including therapy, medication, and inpatient care.

Additionally, the bill seeks to address disparities in coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment by requiring insurance companies to provide clear and transparent information about their behavioral health benefits. This includes details on coverage limits, out-of-pocket costs, and network providers. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to strengthen enforcement of mental health parity laws, which require insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. This includes increased oversight by federal agencies to ensure that insurance companies are complying with these laws. Overall, the Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act aims to improve access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services for individuals in the United States by enhancing coverage and enforcement of mental health parity laws.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide for the enforcement of mental health and substance abuse disorder parity requirements, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Labor and Employment

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/28/2023

Strengthening Behavioral Health Benefits Act

This bill provides additional statutory authority and funding to enforce the mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements that apply to group and individual health insuran...


Latest Action5/13/2022
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.