The Affordable Care Act Part V: Mental Health Services

[TexasTowelie]

By Dr. Brian Carr
President, Behavioral Health Associates, Lubbock, Texas, 1991-Present
Chairman, City of Lubbock Board of Health, 2013
Submitted on September 8, 2013 - 8:33am

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the health reform law has already been hard at work improving health care access and medical care affordability for millions of people in the United States. But while the benefits of the ACA toward insurance coverage and preventative wellness are fairly well-known, there is another area of health care which stands to benefit—mental health.

According to a presentation from William J. Hudok, Senior Public Health Advisor at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Affordable Care Act impacts mental health services in the same way it does all other aspects of health care: Through an increase in insurance coverage, better access to care, and controlled costs.

SAMHSA and the Department of Health and Human Services indicate the following benefits can be expected under the Affordable Care Act in the realm of mental health services:

• Starting in 2014, substance abuse or mental illness can no longer be considered “pre-existing conditions,” which used to limit health insurance coverage.

• In 2014, mental health and substance abuse services will be required by law to be covered under all insurance plans.

• National goals have been set to identify and reduce mental health care disparities in the U.S.

• More federally-qualified mental health care facilities will be made available and funded.

• There will be an increased focus on telemedicine, which will facilitate mental health services and collaborative efforts from a distance, through the use of telecommunication technologies.

• Additional funding will be allocated to mental health organizations, such as SAMHSA.

• State Health Homes will be made available for individuals recovering from substance abuse and mental health disorders.

• School-based mental health programs will be initiated for child mental health care.

• Grants will be allocated exclusively for training more mental health care professionals.

• No-cost and low-cost preventative screenings will include mental health services.

• Mental health benefits will be included in the Medicaid expansion.

In addition to the above benefits, the Affordable Care Act forces insurers and medical facilities to include mental health care as a part of general care services covered. This way, insurers and private medical practices cannot charge separate premiums or separate deductibles for the treatment of substance abuse or mental health services.



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http://lubbockonline.com/interact/blog-post/dr-brian-carr/2013-09-08/affordable-care-act-part-iv-mental-health-services

Cross-posted in Texas Group.

[font color=green]This is actually the fifth installment provided by Dr. Carr although the headline in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal shows Part IV.[/font]