Health Affairs, 27, no. 1 (2008): w70-w83 (Published online 18 December 2007) doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.1.w70 © 2008 by Project HOPE	New Online   Obama's Success & Next Steps   3 Health Policy Options for President Obama   A Hybrid Proposal   Bipartisan Compromise

This Article Full Text (HTML) Reprint (PDF) Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Comments are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Archive Download to Citation Manager Reprints & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Regier, D. A. Articles by West, J. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Regier, D. A. Articles by West, J. C. Related Collections Access To Care Health Reform Insurance Coverage Business Of Health Mental Health/Substance Abuse Health Spending Politics Consumer Issues

Web Exclusives

Parity And The Use Of Out-Of-Network Mental Health Benefits In The FEHB Program

Two current congressional bills mandate parity for benefits for mental disorders with benefits for medical/surgical conditions in private insurance when mental health benefits are provided; the bills differ in regard to benefit levels and access to out-of-network coverage. This study assessed clinicians’ and beneficiaries’ participation in managed care networks in the national capital area under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) parity program. Approximately one-third of the clinicians studied participated in FEHB networks, and only 44 percent of FEHB patients received care from network clinicians. Out-of-network mental health benefits are an important policy consideration to ensure access to mental health treatment under parity proposals.

                      What's this?