Arizona Life and Health Practice Exam

In what year was the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act established?

1. 1996

2. 2000

3. 2008

4. 2010

The correct answer is: 2008

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was established in 2008. This law brought significant reforms to how mental health and substance use disorder benefits are treated relative to medical and surgical benefits in health plans. It mandates that financial requirements and treatment limitations applied to mental health or substance use disorder benefits must be no more restrictive than those applied to medical and surgical benefits. By establishing these guidelines, the Act aimed to eliminate disparities in coverage and ensure that individuals seeking mental health services receive the same level of care as those seeking treatment for physical health conditions. The other years provided correspond to significant legislation but do not reflect the specific enactment of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Understanding this timeframe is crucial for anyone studying health policy and insurance regulations in the context of mental health care.