Do the state and federal parity laws prohibit deductibles, co-payments and/or other cost-sharing elements being applied to mental health or substance use disorders?
No. Deductibles and co-payments are not prohibited as long as such cost-sharing limitations are no more restrictive than when applied to services for the treatment of physical illness and disorders. If a plan requires a higher co-payment to use a specialist, then a person seeking treatment from a specialist for a mental health condition may be required to pay the higher specialist co-payment.
