state mental health parity laws

State mental health parity laws require insurance companies to provide equal coverage for mental health and substance use disorders as they do for physical health conditions. This means that the same benefits, limits, and costs for treatments like therapy and medication must match those for other medical services. The goal is to reduce discrimination against individuals seeking mental health care, ensuring they have the same access to treatment as those with physical health issues. Parity laws promote better mental health outcomes by encouraging more comprehensive and accessible care.