Mental Health Parity Enforcement

On January 25th, 2022 the Tri-agencies released their 2022 annual report to congress on the Mental Health Parity and addiction equity act. Here is a little bit of background. In 2021 the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), amended the MHPAEA to enforce requirements on health insurers and groups health plan issuers to “perform and document” comparative analysis on their non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs). This amendment also directed the Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury to issue requests to group health plans and health insurance issuers for comparative analysis and supporting documentation. The Tri-agencies also issue their annual report detailing their conclusions on MHPAEA compliance each year. The following is a summation of the key enforcement results under the CAA. All results are explained in further detail in the report: The centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued 15 letters in 2021 to three separate states. The EBSA issued 156 letters to plans and issuers requesting comparative analysis for 216 unique NQTLS. None of the comparative analysis reviewed to date have contained sufficient information upon initial receipt. Here are some common deficiencies: Conclusions lacking supporting evidence or detailed explanations; Failure to document comparative analysis before designing and applying for the NQTL; Document provided without adequate explanation; Lack of meaningful comparison or meaningful analysis; Failure to identify the specific MH/SUD and medical/surgical benefits affected by an NQTL; Failure to identify all factors; Lack of supporting detail about the identified factors; Failure to demonstrate compliance of an NQTL as applied; CMS has issued 19 insufficiency letters identifying deficiencies in the comparative analysis and has requested additional information. The EBSA has issued 80 insufficiency letters. The EBSA has issued 30 initial determination letters finding 48 NQTLs imposed on MH/SUD benefits lacking parity. 26 plans so far have agreed to make changes to their plans. Click on the link below for the full report: 2022 MHPAEA Report to Congress