Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Task Force Listening Sessions
The Task Force conducted listening sessions to solicit input from various types of stakeholders. Attendees discussed key topics such as the need to improve awareness and understanding of parity requirements to best practices for monitoring and enforcement. Written summaries of the public listening sessions are available for review.
April 25, 2016 Listening Session: Consumers, Families, and Providers
This meeting was held in Washington, D.C. at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and hosted by Carole Johnson, White House Domestic Policy Council, Richard Frank, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Phyllis Borzi, Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security at the Department of Labor.
Participants discussed several topics including the need to improve awareness and understanding of parity requirements among key stakeholders, particularly consumers and families. Consumers and families—as well as providers—might need assistance with filing an appeal or complaint when claims are denied, and insurance issuers should be required to disclose enough information when claims are denied to allow a determination of whether parity requirements have been met. Some best practices for monitoring and enforcement were also discussed, as well as the need for transparency in the enforcement process. A summary of the listening session is available for review.
May 17, 2016 Listening Session: The Provider Perspective
This meeting was held in Atlanta in conjunction with the American Psychiatric Association Conference. The meeting was hosted by Richard Frank, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Phyllis Borzi, Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security at the Department of Labor.
Attendees discussed issues with parity implementation including the uneven application of non quantitative treatment limits such as prior authorization to medical and behavior health treatment coverage determinations. A summary of the listening session is available for review.
June 10, 2016 Listening Session: Consumer Voices
On June 10, HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell and the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli, hosted a meeting with consumer advocacy groups. Participants highlighted the need for stronger monitoring and enforcement, as well as transparency in the enforcement process. More specific information about disclosure requirements in the event of claims denials would also be helpful. A summary of the listening session and a blog post by Kathryn Martin, Acting Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at HHS, are available for review.
June 29, 2016 Listening Session: Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, Insurers, and Managed Behavioral Health Plans
The listening session on June 29 was hosted by the Department of Labor, along with the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of Personnel Management. Insurers confirmed their commitment to parity, and to providing comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Two key goals were also discussed: improving the quality of mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and improving coordination between medical care and behavioral health care. Read the listening session summary for more information.
August 8, 2016 Listening Session: State Insurance Commissioners
The listening session on June 29 was hosted by the CMS Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight. This listening session focused on gaining input from state insurance commissioners. Participants noted the significant progress to date in parity implementation and enforcement, while also highlighting further room for improvement. Five key strategies for parity enforcement were discussed: maintaining open communication channels between regulators and insurers, clarifying the language and terminology used to discuss parity, standardizing monitoring and enforcement materials across states, conducting network adequacy and market conduct investigations, and coordinating among multiple stakeholders. A summary of the listening session is available for review.
September 15, 2016 Listening Session: Underserved Populations
The listening session on September 15 was hosted by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Director, Michael Botticelli, kicked off the meeting by summarizing the charge of the Task Force and highlighting the unique issues facing underserved populations. Four main themes were discussed: workforce issues, consumer awareness, Medicaid parity issues, and enforcement. A summary of the listening session is available for review.
September 26, 2016 Listening Session: Consumers and Providers
This meeting was held at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. and hosted by Carole Johnson of the White House Domestic Policy Council; Michael Botticelli, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Kathryn Martin, Acting Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and Amy Turner, Director of the Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance Assistance, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor (DOL). After a recap of the Parity Task Force’s activities to date, participants discussed lingering issues in parity implementation such as disclosure requests and consumer awareness. A summary of the listening session is available for review.
