WABE reports Georgians can now compare health plans on mental health coverage as officials and advocates say insurer compliance with the state's parity law has been slow.
Georgia plans can now be compared
WABE reports that Georgians can now see how their health insurance plans compare on mental health coverage and compliance with the state’s 2022 Mental Health Parity Act. The report describes this as a new way for people to review how plans are performing in relation to the state parity requirement.
According to WABE, the comparison comes as questions remain about whether insurers are meeting the requirements of Georgia’s parity law. The source says state insurance officials and patient advocates have described insurer compliance so far as slow.
What Georgia’s parity law requires
WABE identifies Georgia’s 2022 Mental Health Parity Act as HB 1013. According to WABE, the law requires insurers to cover mental health and substance-use care on par with coverage for physical and surgical needs.
The source says the law brought Georgia into step with federal parity requirements under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. WABE’s report focuses on the relationship between those coverage standards and how health plans are complying with Georgia’s law.
Officials and advocates cite slow compliance
State insurance officials and patient advocates say compliance by Georgia insurers has been slow, according to WABE. The source does not provide details in the extract about individual plans or describe specific enforcement actions.
WABE reports that the ability to compare plans gives Georgians information about mental health coverage and compliance with the parity law. The report frames the issue around whether mental health and substance-use care are covered comparably with physical and surgical care, as required under HB 1013.
Parity event and reform efforts
WABE reports that The Carter Center organized Georgia’s first annual Mental Health Parity Day event at the state Capitol. According to the source, the center is also backing additional mental health system reforms during the current legislative session.
The extract does not specify what those additional reforms would include. It does indicate that parity coverage and insurer compliance remain part of the broader mental health policy discussion in Georgia.
What this means for Georgia patients
For people seeking treatment locally, health-plan comparisons may be relevant when reviewing coverage for mental health care. The directory lists 255 published clinics in Georgia, which may help people identify local treatment options.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Georgia reporting on access & coverage.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.