On June 16, 2017, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQ 38 implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as it relates to the Mental Health Parity Act and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act). The DOL is requesting comments on a draft model form for participants to use when requesting information about nonquantitative treatment limitations as well as confirming that benefits for eating disorders must comply with the MHPAEA.

The MHPAEA requires that financial requirements such as coinsurance and copayments and treatment limitations such as visit or day limits for mental health and substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than those placed on medical and surgical benefits. The regulations also state that a non-quantitative treatment limitation must be comparable.

The Cures Act requires that benefits for eating disorders are consistent with the requirements of MHPAEA. The DOL in this FAQ clarifies that the MHPAEA applies to any benefits a plan may offer for treatment of an eating disorder. Plans should review their plan information to ensure compliance with these regulations and guidance.

All comments regarding disclosures and eating disorders must be submitted by September 13, 2017.