This document provides an overview of essential information necessary for understanding mental health and substance use disorder parity and how to implement and comply with federal parity laws. This guide applies to parity laws in employer-sponsored health plans and group and individual insurance.

There are protections in federal law, collectively known as “parity,” which are designed to ensure that certain types of health plans cover mental and substance use disorders no less generously than they cover other health issues. This resource can guide you to helpful materials and places.

Esta hoja informativa se puede usar como una guía para las personas que buscan tratamiento de salud mental. Ofrece tres pasos necesarios para llevar a cabo antes de utilizar un centro de tratamiento, así como las cinco señales de un centro de tratamiento de calidad, que incluye revisar la acreditación, la medicación, las prácticas basadas en la evidencia, el papel de las familias y las redes de apoyo.

This fact sheet serves as a guide for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment. It provides three necessary steps to complete prior to utilizing a treatment center and the five signs of a quality treatment center, which include a review of the accreditation, medication, evidence-based practices, position on the role of families, and support networks.

This advisory summarizes data on the use of sublingual and transmucosal buprenorphine for the medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder.

This report presents spending information for treatment of mental illness, substance use disorders, or both for people only enrolled in Medicaid, and those enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare. The report also covers fee-for-service spending and managed care spending.

This report presents information about Medicaid coverage of medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol dependence. It covers treatment effectiveness and cost effectiveness. The report also offers examples of innovative approaches in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maryland.

This fact sheet answers common questions for behavioral health treatment and service providers about the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) code sets.

This report examines the prevalence of mental illness, substance use disorders, or both among youth living in foster care who are covered under Medicaid. It describes the use of health services, and discusses trends across three ages groups.

This white paper report identifies and proposes strategies to address Medicaid and other reimbursement policies that may pose barriers to mental health services in primary care settings. It presents findings, discussion by an expert panel, and recommended action steps.