Mental Health Transparency Act

1/4/2025, 11:12 AM

Mental Health Transparency Act

This bill requires private health insurance plans to publish information about the number and percentage of behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment providers located in the service area of the plan that are in-network.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish designations to reflect the breadth of in-network coverage for each type of provider in a service area.

HHS also must publish specified information about each behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment provider in the country, including the location of each provider and the services each provider furnishes.

The Mental Health Transparency Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 7140, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to increase transparency and accountability in the mental health care system.

One of the key provisions of the Mental Health Transparency Act is the requirement for mental health care providers to disclose information about their services, including the types of treatments offered, the qualifications of their staff, and any potential conflicts of interest. This information would be made available to the public in order to help individuals make informed decisions about their mental health care.

Additionally, the bill aims to improve access to mental health care by requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for mental health services on par with coverage for physical health services. This would help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that individuals have access to the care they need. Overall, the Mental Health Transparency Act seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and access in the mental health care system. By providing individuals with more information about their options and ensuring that mental health care is covered by insurance, this bill has the potential to improve the overall quality of mental health care in the United States.
Congress
118

Number
HR - 7140

Introduced on
2024-01-30

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

1/30/2024

Status of Legislation

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

Purpose and Summary

Mental Health Transparency Act

This bill requires private health insurance plans to publish information about the number and percentage of behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment providers located in the service area of the plan that are in-network.

Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish designations to reflect the breadth of in-network coverage for each type of provider in a service area.

HHS also must publish specified information about each behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment provider in the country, including the location of each provider and the services each provider furnishes.

The Mental Health Transparency Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 7140, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to increase transparency and accountability in the mental health care system.

One of the key provisions of the Mental Health Transparency Act is the requirement for mental health care providers to disclose information about their services, including the types of treatments offered, the qualifications of their staff, and any potential conflicts of interest. This information would be made available to the public in order to help individuals make informed decisions about their mental health care.

Additionally, the bill aims to improve access to mental health care by requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for mental health services on par with coverage for physical health services. This would help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that individuals have access to the care they need. Overall, the Mental Health Transparency Act seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and access in the mental health care system. By providing individuals with more information about their options and ensuring that mental health care is covered by insurance, this bill has the potential to improve the overall quality of mental health care in the United States.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to disclose the percentage of in-network participation for certain provider types, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Health

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary4/1/2024

Mental Health Transparency Act

This bill requires private health insurance plans to publish information about the number and percentage of behavioral health care and substance use disorder treatment providers located in the service ...


Latest Action12/17/2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.