The Insurance System

Topics in this section:

• Public Health Insurance
• Private Health Insurance
• Paying for Medications

Millions of Americans, however, do not have private health insurance, relying primarily on public programs to pay for health services.

Insurance Parity

Mental health treatment often is not paid for at the same rate as other health care costs, and there may be limits on the number of visits. As of August 2002, 34 States had enacted "parity" laws that require insurers to pay for mental health and other health care costs either at the same rates or within the same annual or lifetime limits (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 2002).

Other Web Sites:

• Legal Protection and Advocacy Strategies for People with Severe Mental Illnesses in Managed Care Systems
  This NAMI resource provides an overview of legal issues in both the public and private sectors. The manual is a blueprint for challenging decisions and practices in often-complicated systems.
• Center for Medical Home Improvement
  A resource for professionals and parents seeking to implement strategies for building a medical home and improve primary care for children with special needs.
• National Health Law Program
  The National Health Law Program is a national public interest law firm that seeks to improve health care for poor and underserved populations. NHeLP works by serving programs and organizations, but does not provide direct service to individuals (though can be a resource for further information).