Connections Health Solutions’ Post

🧠⌛️ Health Care Equality - what about for #mentalhealthcare?   Unmet mental illness gap shines the following: 🔸Affordability is a never-ending struggle for all 🔸Accessibility is hindered by all kinds of barriers 🔸In-network pushes people out to external sources   This report from NAMI brings attention to the need for #mentalhealthparity.   #mentalhealth #healthcare #medicine

"Individuals struggling with mental health conditions often rely on health plan provider directories to access affordable, quality health care services, and ghost networks can force patients to choose between paying out-of-pocket, which is not possible for many, or forgoing treatment altogether." Read the full story now: https://lnkd.in/ex2vKP2y #MentalHealthAccess #GhostNetworks #HealthcareReform #NYHealthcare #MentalHealthAwareness *This is intended to provide general information, not legal advice. Please contact the authors if you need specific legal advice.

Are you paving the way for your team to access mental health services when they need them? We’re starting to see this trending in the right direction, meaning people are getting help when they need it. If you’re wanting to have mental health services available for your team let’s talk. There are multiple types of options from paying for a standalone service to making one available inside your health plan. (There are some that include unlimited visits kinda like a telemedicine!). https://lnkd.in/gEgCDikM

Big news today... after more than a decade of advocacy from groups like NAMI, the Biden-Harris administration finalized rules to strengthen the bipartisan Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which was passed in 2008. These rules aim to increase access to mental health care and lower costs for families by ensuring that insurance companies provide adequate mental health coverage. President Biden said, “Mental health care is health care. But for far too many Americans, critical care and treatments are out of reach. Today, my Administration is taking action to address our nation’s mental health crisis by ensuring mental health coverage will be covered at the same level as other health care for Americans. There is no reason that breaking your arm should be treated differently than having a mental health condition. The steps my Administration is taking today will dramatically expand access to mental health care in America.” Vice President Kamala Harris called the rules "historic" and said "President Biden and I are committed to ensuring that every person in our country has the mental health care they need to thrive. That is why we made the largest investment in youth mental health in history and are transforming how mental health is understood, perceived, and treated for all Americans. Today, we are building on this lifesaving and lifechanging work by announcing the finalization of a historic rule that will expand mental health care across our nation so more of our loved ones, neighbors, coworkers, and classmates receive the care they deserve." Read the full press release from the White House below. #doingbetter #mentalhealthmatters #youthmentalhealth #leiya https://lnkd.in/eUmXt6kh

As this country continues to prioritize mental health care, we appreciate the attention and efforts directed at integrating behavioral health and primary care. Doing so not only reduces unnecessary spending, it improves outcomes and overall health. Moving to a value-based mental health care model may also be on the horizon. According to this article, to better coordinate treatment in a holistic manner, our system should, among other things, "develop guidance for payers to expand the use and adoption of value-based arrangements and alternative payment models." #valuebasedcare #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealth

Insurers and health plans could face increased scrutiny from regulators under proposed changes to federal mental health parity laws. Attorney David Shillcutt discusses key aspects of the proposed rules, in a Law360 article by Kellie Mejdrich. [Excerpt and links.] #MentalHealth #EmployeeBenefits #Healthcare

The healthcare landscape is at a crucial juncture with over half of U.S. adults with mental illness not receiving treatment. The disconnect between physical and mental health care is stark, driven by cost, insurance limitations, and stigma. We need a paradigm shift towards collaborative care. Integrating mental health services within primary care settings can streamline access, foster trust, and recognize the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being. What steps can we take to empower primary care physicians with the tools and resources needed for this integrated approach? How can technology play a role in enhancing accessibility and effectiveness of mental health services? #MentalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #CollaborativeCare

At Aura, we’re committed to reducing the financial stress that employees face by helping them build confidence and security. We know that supporting both mental and financial well-being is key to a thriving workforce. Today, the White House announced a historic rule ensuring that mental health care for 175 million Americans will be treated on par with physical health care. As such a large percentage of healthcare is delivered through employer-sponsored benefit plans, this is a huge step forward for employers who have been at the forefront of addressing the mental health crisis since COVID-19. A 2021 report revealed that 87% of large employers believe in making mental health care access a top priority. We applaud these employers   and hopeful this new policy enables them to better do that. 🌟 If you would like to talk about how this new rule may impact your organization, please drop me a comment or send me a LinkedIn DM. https://lnkd.in/gPNX2rVS #MentalHealthMatters #FinancialWellness #EmployeeWellbeing

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Final Rule Announced by Fed. FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Lowers Mental Health Care Costs by Improving Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Care Specifically, the final rule will: - Require health plans to make changes when they are providing inadequate access to mental health and substance use care. - Make it clear what health plans can and cannot do. They cannot use more restrictive prior authorization, or other medical management techniques, or narrower networks to make it harder for people to access mental health and substance use disorder benefits than their medical benefits. They must use similar factors in setting out-of-network payment rates for mental health and substance use disorder providers as they do for medical providers. - Close existing loopholes including requiring non-federal governmental health plans, like those offered to state and local government employees, to comply with its requirements. Read full Fact Sheet: https://loom.ly/d0-lKak #MHPAEA #regulations #substanceuse #mentalhealth #treatment #behavioralhealth #opioids #healthcare #healthIT

Major impact just announced today focused on #behavioralhealth #mentalhealth #substanceusedisorder support, coverage, and compliance. #healthproviders, #healthpayors, and #employers. Delve into the impact of today's headline: Biden Administration Finalizes Rule to Strengthen Mental Health Parity Law at the Advancing Behavioral Health and Policy Summit produced by The Healthcare Innovation Company (thINc) and Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness on October 28-29, in Washington, DC. https://lnkd.in/eVJDKxzp Session highlight: Parity in Practice: Navigating the New Landscape of Behavioral Healthcare Access and Coverage Lisa M. Gomez, U.S. Department of Labor, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Rebecca O. Bagley, The Kennedy Forum, President and Chief Executive Officer Melissa Bartlett, The ERISA Industry Committee, Senior Vice President, Health Policy Bradley Lerner JD, Elevance Health; Board Chair-Elect, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness (ABHW), Director, Public Policy, Behavioral Health Analyze the details of the #MentalHealthParity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) final rule and their implications on health plans' coverage and reimbursement policies for behavioral health services Explore the anticipated effects and operational impact on behavioral health providers, including potential changes in administrative processes, documentation requirements, and service delivery models Understand how the strengthened parity regulations may impact patients' access to care, out-of-pocket costs, and overall behavioral health treatment experiences https://lnkd.in/evh3EQtX