Florida case highlights threat to parity by states and insurance companies.(Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida's termination of its contracts with mental health care providers)(Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008)

The Parity Implementation Coalition (PIC) is stepping up its advocacy efforts with the federal government to issue guidance on state enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). But in the meantime, it looks as if the crown jewel of federal legislation that was supposed to guarantee substance abuse and mental health services be covered on par with other medical conditions is facing serious road blocks at the hands of insurance companies and some states.

Last summer the PIC, which is co-chaired by Carol McDaid of Capitol Decisions and Irwin L. (Sam) Muszynski of the American Psychiatric Association, asked the federal government to intervene in a case in which Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) terminated contracts with mental health and substance abuse treatment providers and requires providers to sign up with a carveout--New Directions Behavioral Health--to provide these services. New Directions plans to pay providers at greatly reduced rates. BCBSF has no similar plans to reduce fees for medical-surgical providers. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, in an August 17 letter from Mary Beth Senckewicz to the Florida Psychological Association, said that the state was not responsible for enforcing the federal …