In 2008, a pivotal moment occurred as Congress enacted the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) to enhance individuals’ access to mental health and substance abuse care. Fast forward to the present, and with May being Mental Health Awareness month, we delved into the dynamic evolution of mental health from a disability administration perspective over the past decade.

This session took a deep dive into employer considerations, especially in the realm of designing effective behavioral health programs. We explored ways to enhance the treatment process for employees facing mental health challenges and delved into the proposed changes to the MHPAEA that were unveiled in October 2023. These changes could have a profound impact on how insurance companies handle mental health and substance abuse claims under short term disability (STD) and long term disability (LTD) policies. This was an insightful journey into the shifting landscape of mental health support!