Understanding Parity: A Guide to Resources for Families and Caregivers

This document is about providing a guide for families and caregivers on understanding parity laws, which are federal protections that ensure mental health and substance use disorder benefits are covered no less generously than physical health benefits. It covers topics such as how parity applies to accessing care and costs, which health plans are covered, requirements for plans to provide benefit information, the right to appeal denied claims, and resources for additional assistance. The guide aims to help families and caregivers navigate the parity laws to obtain the behavioral health services they need.