Understanding Parity
A GUIDE TO RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
AND CAREGIVERS
Understanding Parity – If you care for someone with a mental illness or substance use disorder, this guide can be a helpful resource. There are protections in federal law, collectively known as “parity,” which are designed to ensure that certain types of health plans cover mental health and substance use disorders no less generously than the way they cover other health issues. Health plans are often referred to as “health insurance.”
Caring for a child (or parent, patient or client or family member) takes a lot of dedication of time, resources, and emotions. Struggling to find access to behavioral health services can be frustrating.
