Maryland Parity Project

The project aims to ensure insured Marylanders know of their new rights in accessing mental health and addiction treatment under The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This new federal law requires equity in mental health/addiction and medical/surgical benefits offered by insurance companies.Here's how it works: Insurers that offer mental health or addiction coverage must provide benefits on par with medical/surgical benefits. They cannot implement financial restrictions or treatment limitations that are more restrictive for mental health/addiction treatment than the predominant limitation or restriction applied to "substantially all" medical/surgical benefits.In addition, project staff provides case assistance to consumers, providers and families who feel they are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. They are able to evaluate complaints and walk consumers and providers through the process of appealing an insurer's decision and, if appropriate, assist in the filing a complaint with the proper government authority.