In this Talking Benefits podcast episode, the pod squad wanted to highlight a topic that is timely for several reasons and might be a little confusing—mental health and substance use disorder parity in benefits.

Podcast host Julie Stich welcomed Stephanie Patrick, senior consulting actuary for Horizon Actuarial Services, LLC, for this episode. Stephanie answered a few questions that are sure to provide listeners with a better understanding of this topic, as well as of Department of Labor (DOL) enforcement in this area.

The episode covers:

  • The overall goal of mental health parity and why the legislation was first enacted 25 years ago
  • How the legislation has morphed since 1996 and where it is today
  • What the actual rules are and the three main requirements and areas for parity
  • What’s new as of November 2021 that employers and plan sponsors should know about
  • How the Department of Labor is enforcing the parity law and rules
  • What happens if the DOL finds parity violations

I hope you are able to give this episode a listen. It provided a lot of needed clarity on this important and ever-changing topic.

Don’t miss a single episode! 

Subscribe to Talking Benefits Stitcher
Subscribe to Talking Benefits iTunes

Subscribe to Talking Benefits on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts for automatic updates as new episodes are released, or watch for new episodes on the International Foundation website.

We love to hear from Talking Benefits listeners!

Take our short listener survey so we can hear what you think about the podcast and what you’d like us to cover in future episodes. You’ll be entered for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card just for filling out the survey.

Anne Patterson
Marketing Communications Manager

Anne Patterson

 Marketing Communications Specialist

Favorite Foundation Product: Benefits Magazine. Bella’s a classic, physical book-in-hand kind of person, so the Foundation’s magazine keeps her up-to-date on all things benefits!

 

Benefits-related Topics That Interest Her Most: Communication, Diversity and Inclusion, Workplace Wellness, Work-Life Benefits

 

Personal Insight: Bella loves to travel, read and escape through a binge-worthy TV show with a cozy blanket. When she isn’t chasing her sassy pets around, Bella enjoys spending time outdoors for creative inspiration and visiting local markets. Born and raised in Wisconsin, she’s a foodie who’ll take a double order of cheese on everything!

Recommended Posts

New Mental Health Parity Guidance: More Clarity, But More Compliance Obligations

Anne Newhouse
 

According to speaker John Barlament, Shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C., in his webcast “New Mental Health Parity Guidance: More Clarity, But More Compliance Obligations,” held on August 30, 2023, new guidance has been “desperately needed” on the topic of mental health […]

Legal & Legislative Reporter: Medical Provider May Not Bring Claim on Behalf of Participants and Beneficiaries

Guest Contributor
 

Every month, the International Foundation releases the Legal and Legislative Reporter, a compilation of new employee benefits–related case summaries. Below is a summary we thought you’d be interested in. Content provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. The U.S. District Court for the […]

Five Steps to Nurture Belonging in the Workplace

Guest Contributor
 

Benefits Magazine Extras articles provide you with bonus content on a mix of benefits topics as well as deep dives and analyses on the latest benefit trends and compliance issues. Visit ifebp.org/benefitsmagazine to see the latest Benefits Magazine Extras as well as the bimonthly print […]

Navigating Uncertainty

Christine Vazquez, CEBS
 

In today’s business environment, change is constant. Earning a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist® (CEBS®) designation can help benefits professionals improve their ability to manage organizational change. The self-study CEBS courses provide critical knowledge and skills to scan the environment and strategically tailor benefit […]