EBSA provides a hotline (866-444-3722) for reporting parity violations. It also provides information on its website for steps to take when violations occur, Dr. Knoepflmacher said. However, Dr. Knoepflmacher conceded that establishing parity is a moving target because third-party payers alter policies and use their own criteria to establish which mental health services represent necessary care.
“Most psychiatrists I have spoken to have experienced some sort of denial of coverage,” Dr. Knoepflmacher noted. Not all may be a violation of parity, but Dr. Knoepflmacher suggested that psychiatrists should be proactive in order to preserve mental health and substance use services for those who need them.