Data highlights gaps in finding in-network mental health coverage

Americans across 43 states enrolled in health plans from the nation's four largest commercial health insurers face potential disparities in finding in-network coverage for mental health care and substance use disorder treatment relative to physical health care, according to the Mental Health Parity Index released by the Kennedy Forum. The analysis, in which the AHA was an advisor, found that among the four insurers - Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare - there are lower payment levels for outpatient mental health care and SUD treatment in all 43 states than for outpatient physical health care. In addition to examining disparities in outpatient professional reimbursement, the index also assesses the relative differences in network composition.