The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) for the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a Research Brief on the expansion of mental health and substance use disorder benefits.
Through the Affordable Care Act, 32.1 million Americans will gain access to coverage that includes mental health and/or substance use disorder benefits that comply with federal parity requirements and an additional 30.4 million Americans who currently have some mental health and substance abuse benefits will benefit from the federal parity protections. By building on the structure of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, the Affordable Care Act will extend federal parity protections to 62 million Americans.
| Individuals who will gain mental health, substance use disorder, or both benefits under the Affordable Care Act, including federal parity protections | Individuals with existing mental health and substance use disorder benefits who will benefit from federal parity protections | Total individuals who will benefit from federal parity protections as a result of the Affordable Care Act | |
| Individuals currently in individual plans | 3.9 million | 7.1 million | 11 million |
| Individuals currently in small group plans | 1.2 million | 23.3 million | 24.5 million |
| Individuals currently uninsured | 27 million | n/a | 27 million |
| Total | 32.1 million | 30.4 million | 62.5 million |
The 4-page brief can be accessed at: http://atforum.com/addiction-resources/documents/AffordableCareActFebruary2013.pdf
Source: The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) fir the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – February 2013
By PDGACO GaballaLoans