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Mental Health Parity: Learn more and share your story

On January 1, 2010, the groundbreaking Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) (also knows as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008) went into effect.

Passed by Congress in 2008, the law makes illegal discriminatory limits on health care coverage for mental health and substance use disorders, establishing equal coverage – parity -- for mental health care and physical health care.

MHPAEA applies to plans sponsored by private and public sector employers with more than 50 employees and to health insurance issuers who sell coverage to employers with more than 50 employees. The law will cover 82 million individuals in self-insured employer health plans that are not governed by state parity laws and another 31 million in plans that are subject to state regulation. 

Mental Health America (MHA) offers a wealth of information about what this legislation means for mental health consumers. Visit MHA’s Parity Page to learn more about the federal parity legislation and its impact on state law. MHA is also soliciting feedback from consumers about their personal experiences with the legislation. Share your story. Tell MHA how your health plan coverage has changed; and/or report a success or problem.