Learn More About Mental Health Parity – Georgia Mental Health Parity

Behavioral health parity means your insurance must treat mental health and substance use conditions the same way it treats physical health conditions. In practice, this means that if your plan covers unlimited doctor visits for a physical illness, it must also cover the mental health care you need—such as therapy, counseling, or addiction treatment—without extra barriers or higher costs. Without parity, families often pay more for mental health care, face stricter rules, or wait too long to get help.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is a federal law passed in 2008 that requires health insurance plans to provide equal coverage for mental health, substance use, and physical health conditions. But even with this federal protection, many Georgians still encounter denials, higher out‑of‑pocket costs, or administrative hurdles that limit their access to care.

To strengthen these protections at the state level, Georgia passed House Bill 1013, the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act, in 2022. This law makes parity enforcement a priority in our state. It requires insurers to follow federal parity rules and gives Georgia’s regulatory agencies the authority and tools they need to hold insurance companies accountable. In short: it helps ensure that people in Georgia can access the mental health and substance use treatment they are legally entitled to—when they need it.