Parity for substance abuse means requiring health insurers to recognize addictions as disease and provide coverage for treating alcohol and drug addiction that is equal to treatment coverage for other chronic disorders. Parity is a key public policy reform that will improve access to appropriate and adequate treatment.

Parity in insurance policies would ensure that alcoholism and drug addiction are covered to the same extent as other chronic, relapsing disorders such as diabetes and hypertension. More than 70% of people who currently use illicit drugs, as well as 75% of individuals who are alcoholics, are employed. Most employer-provided insurance policies today discriminate against people with diseases of alcoholism or drug addiction, as well as mental health disorders, by requiring greater patient burden. This means that when you seek treatment for your substance abuse illness, you are required to pay higher deductibles and copayments, while receiving less coverage for number of visits, days of coverage, and annual or lifetime dollar limits for treatment.

Although treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction compares favorably with that of other chronic recurring disorders, many insurers have not yet granted equal status to this health issue. Treating – and covering – substance use disorders, rather than only relieving the symptoms of related health conditions like liver disease or injuries, is in the interests of insurers, employers, medical providers, and patients.

Taken from Join Together On-line

(www.jointogether.org)

Join Together is a project of the

Boston University School of Public Health