Treatment for mental health conditions, substance use disorders covered by health insurance policies same as physical illness

In 2008, Congress passed the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act to ensure equal coverage of treatment for mental illness and addiction. The federal government released rules to implement the law in 2013, which substantially improved coverage for mental health. Prior to the law, treatment for mental health conditions was typically at far lower levels in health insurance policies than for physical illness. The act aligns with the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.

What is the Medical Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act?

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act provides for parity in the application of aggregate treatment limitations (day or visit limits) on mental health and substance abuse benefits with day/visit limits on medical/surgical benefits. In general, group health plans offering mental health and substance abuse benefits cannot set day/visit limits on mental health or substance abuse benefits that are lower than any such day/visit limits for medical and surgical benefits. A plan that does not impose day/visit limits on medical and surgical benefits may not impose such day/visit limits on mental health and substance abuse benefits offered under the plan. Also, the plan may not impose deductibles, copayment/coinsurance and out-of-pocket expenses on mental health and substance abuse benefits that are more restrictive than deductibles, copayment/coinsurance and out-of-pocket expenses applicable to other medical and surgical benefits.

What does this mean?

Mental health parity and addiction equity means the equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in insurance plans. When a plan has parity, as all of Purdue’s health plans do, it means that if someone is provided unlimited doctor visits for a chronic condition such as diabetes, then unlimited visits for a mental health condition such as depression or schizophrenia must also be provided. In short, an individual’s health plan must treat mental health and addiction conditions the same as a medical condition.

Insurance coverage with Purdue health plans

Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders includes medication, office visits, testing, and in-patient and outpatient treatment. In addition, Purdue’s prescription coverage does not specifically exclude any drug categories for mental health. 

In-person and telehealth visits are both covered as part of Purdue’s plans.

LiveHealth Online behavioral health costs are as follows:

• $80 for therapist/social worker
• $95 for psychology
• $175 for psychiatry new patient visit
• $75 for any follow-up psychiatry visits

Additionally, as long as the provider is in-network, any online behavior health visit (not just with LiveHealth Online) would be covered. The member will pay out of pocket until they meet their deductible. 

To help employees find tier 1 (HealthSync) or tier 2 (in-network) behavioral health care providers, Human Resources has created a list of behavioral health referrals.

A breakdown of insurance coverage for alcohol/substance abuse and mental health can be found here.

Time off for mental health conditions and/or substance use disorders

While the parity requirement doesn’t apply to leaves, Purdue University leaves pertain to time off if an employee is unable to work due to a mental health condition or substance use disorder; therefore, the employee may be eligible to apply for leave just the same as if they could not work due to a medical condition.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll-free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including behavioral health resources for all Purdue campuses and information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can direct them to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) — medical plan provider for students and graduate students — offers 292 unique mental health providers serving at various locations that are in-network with UHCSR within Tippecanoe County. The list is available here. Additionally, students have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of UHCSR’s plan. All services are free for students covered under the UHCSR insurance plan. 

Office of the Dean of Students:

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and Information
• Presentations & Trainings
• Student of Concern Reporting Link

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS):

• Therapy Services at CAPS
• Self-help Resources
• Group Therapy
• CAPS YouTube channel
• NAMI On Campus – a free, virtual support group on campus
• Thriving Campus – service that provides students a way to search for mental health providers in many areas, locally and across the country
• TAO – web and app-based mental health resource