This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Healthcare rules and costs change annually. Last reviewed: January 1, 2026. Always verify current details with your insurer, employer, or a licensed healthcare navigator.
Mental Health Parity
A federal law requiring insurers to cover mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than physical health conditions.
Full Definition
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 requires group health plans and insurers to provide mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits no more restrictively than medical and surgical benefits. This applies to financial requirements (copays, deductibles) and treatment limitations (visit limits, prior authorization). The law does not require plans to cover mental health — but if they do, coverage must be comparable. The ACA extended parity requirements to individual and small group marketplace plans and required coverage of mental health as an essential health benefit. Enforcement has been a persistent challenge.
Real-World Example
Your health plan covers unlimited physical therapy visits for a back injury but limits mental health therapy to 20 visits per year. This likely violates mental health parity. You can file a complaint with your state insurance regulator or the Department of Labor (for employer plans).
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