The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requires that benefits for mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD) be provided and administered in a fashion that is no more restrictive than the manner in which medical/surgical benefits are provided.
The Final Rules for MHPAEA were released on November 13, 2013 and apply to most plans as they renew on or after July 1, 2014.
For more information on MHPAEA:
The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight MHPAEA Fact Sheet
Department of Labor MHPAEA Fact Sheet
Your medical plan and Optum have worked together to comply with Federal Mental Health Parity. You have access to your plan documents (e.g., your Certificate of Coverage or Summary Plan Description) as well as the medical necessity and coverage determination guidelines for both medical/surgical and mental health/substance use disorder benefits. You also have access to detailed information regarding Optum’s Guidelines / Policies & Manuals related to mental health/substance use disorder benefits.
Members of a UnitedHealthcare medical plan can access their summary online at the United for Reform Resource Center.