Evaluating State Mental Health and Addiction Parity Statutes: A Technical Report
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9. Does a state statute require the state insurance department or any other relevant
state agency to submit reports about its actions monitoring parity compliance?
(10 points available; only one answer may be selected)
a. Yes, on a recurring basis (10 points)
b. Yes, but not on a recurring basis (5 points)
c. No (0 points)
One of the most significant barriers to full implementation of the Federal Parity Law and state
parity provisions has been inaction by state regulatory bodies. Authorizing or requiring a
regulatory body to implement parity is a good step, but requiring that the agency file a report
about its actions enhances accountability and spurs action.
10. Does a state statute require health insurance/benefit plans to submit reports
demonstrating how they comply with the Federal Parity Law and/or any state parity
statutes or regulations? (10 points available; only one answer may be selected)
a. Yes, on a recurring basis (10 points)
b. Yes, but not on a recurring basis (5 points)
c. No (0 points)
It is difficult to know if health plans comply with the Federal Parity Law without data that
demonstrates the insurers' methods for compliance. This is particularly true in terms of whether
the design and application of non-quantitative treatment limitations comply with the Federal
Parity Law.