Your mental health and substance use disorder benefits are protected by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act​

It's the law: Most health insurance providers must cover mental health and substance use disorder benefits the same way they cover physical health benefits.

Workers and families:

Check your plan's mental health benefits

The summary plan description should say what mental health and substance use disorder benefits and rights your plan covers. If you can’t find a copy, contact your health plan administrator.

Find the treatment option that’s best for you

Ask your primary care physician to connect you to specialists, social workers or therapists. (Your plan may cover telehealth and virtual visits.)

Talk to a benefits advisor

We can help explain your mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Visit askebsa.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-3272.

More resources for workers and families:

Employers and advisers:

Check to see if you're compliant

Use our online self-compliance tool* to assess whether your plans are in compliance with the federal mental health requirements.

Find answers to frequently asked questions

View answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand federal law.

Read our compliance assistance publications

Read our publications to help you understand and comply with the law on our website, including our Warning Signs – Plan or Policy Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTLs) that Require Additional Analysis to Determine Mental Health Parity Compliance.

Talk to a benefits advisor

Still have questions about compliance? Visit askebsa.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-3272 to speak with a benefits advisor today.

* Please note that the 2020 MHPAEA Self-Compliance Tool was last updated before the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), and while it suggests using the tool as a best practice, it does not reflect that plans and issuers subject to MHPAEA are now required to perform and document their NQTL comparative analyses under the CAA. Plans and issuers that have carefully applied the guidance in the Self-Compliance Tool should be in a strong position to comply with the CAA’s requirement to perform and document a comparative analysis with respect to the design and application of NQTLs.

More resources for employers and advisers:

New Report: Increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder coverage

Every year, we partner with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide a report to Congress on compliance by group health plans. This year’s report highlights the progress we’ve made in enforcement– and where providers are falling short.

Download the full report >>​
Read the press release >>​
Read Secretary Walsh's blog post >>​
Read Mental Health Parity is the Law, and We're Enforcing it >>
Read the enforcement fact sheet >>

The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to the mental health and substance abuse disorder care they need.

Learn more about how we’re working across the government to promote mental health parity and enforce the law:

Mental Health Parity is the Law, and We're Enforcing it

We’re ramping up our efforts to ensure everyone gets the mental health and substance use disorder care they are entitled to under the law.

Making Mental Health Parity a Priority

Whether you’re seeking care for a sprained ankle or for opioid use, your benefits are protected by the law.

4 mental health resources for employers

If you are an employer or plan service provider with questions on complying with the law, these resources can help.

How to Use Your Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits

Your health insurance plan may cover the mental health and substance use disorder treatment you need, thanks to the federal law on mental health parity. These resources can help you seek out care.