New! CMCS Technical Assistance Resource mailbox for Parity Final Rule

On March 29, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule to strengthen access to mental health and substance use services for people with Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) aligning with protections already required of health plans in the commercial market. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 generally requires that health insurance plans treat mental health and substance use disorder benefits on equal footing as medical and surgical benefits.

In order to support states, providers, and consumers CMS has created a mailbox so that stakeholders may send questions regarding the Medicaid and CHIP final rule for mental health parity. Technical assistance will begin this fall and continue through 2018, and questions can be submitted to the mailbox at any time.  Please submit all questions/concerns toparity@cms.hhs.gov