CMS issues FAQs on Medicaid/CHIP mental health parity rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently published frequently asked questions on the implementation of its final rule applying certain provisions of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 to Medicaid managed care organizations, Medicaid alternative benefit plans and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Among other areas, the FAQs cover defining mental health and substance use disorder, non-quantitative treatment limits, availability of information, and documentation and compliance. The MHPAEA requires group health plans that offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits to provide them at parity with their medical/surgical benefits.