On June 19, 2020, the DOL proposed changes to its Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) self-compliance tool. As background, MHPAEA requires that the financial requirements and treatment limitations imposed on mental health and substance use disorder benefits cannot be more restrictive than the predominant financial requirements and treatment limitations that apply to substantially all medical and surgical benefits. The self-compliance tool was created by the DOL to help group health plan sponsors determine whether their group health plan complies with MHPAEA.

The 2020 version of the self-compliance tool mostly adds additional illustrative examples of when a plan is or is not compliant with MHPAEA. It also adds a new section (Section H) and a new appendix (Appendix II). Section H discusses how employers can establish an internal MHPAEA compliance plan and Appendix II provides a tool for comparing plan reimbursement rates to Medicare.

The DOL is requesting public comments on the revisions to the self-compliance tool by July 24, 2020. Ultimately, this tool does not add any new compliance obligations. Instead, it provides assistance in evaluating compliance with MHPAEA’s requirements. Plan sponsors should review the self-compliance tool to ensure their compliance.

Proposed Updates to 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool »
Press Release »

Source: NFP BenefitsPartners