Progress: Obama Admin. Requires Insurance To Cover Mental Health

The new rule makes 32 million people eligible for psych care as a result

Here’s more good news to make the “Obamacare” haters mad! The Obama administration on Wednesday issued a final rule defining “essential health benefits” to include mental health care. That means 32 million insured Americans would gain access to a psychologist’s couch as a result. (And we all know someone that could use a few sessions, right?) The new rule, announced by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, requires insurers to cover treatment of mental illnesses, behavioral disorders, drug addictions and alcohol abuse. Sebelius says that more than 30 million people who already have some mental health coverage will see improvements in their benefits. In the past, White House officials said, nearly 20 percent of people buying insurance did not have coverage for mental health services. One-third of them had no coverage for treatment of substance abuse. What’s even better about this new rule? It will limit the costs of the care to consumers, as total out-of-pocket charges will be subject to limits. For plans offered in the small-group market, the deductible paid by the insured person cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual and $4,000 for a family.  That has the potential to change lives and transform families. (New York Times)

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