This page lists some of the action toward parity compliance undertaken by state regulatory agencies since 2008.

Are we missing any actions taken by state regulatory agencies? Let us know at info@paritytrack.org

Action in the Regulatory Arena

06/2017

Primary Focus SUD
Agency Department of Human Services / Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services Home
Title/Description Substance use disorder treatment services
Citation N.J. Admin. Code § 10:66-2.3
Summary

Enumerates substance use disorder treatment services provided by independent clinics.  Independent clinics include substance use disorder outpatient rehabilitative services; substance use disorder intensive outpatient (IOP) services; substance use disorder partial care services; non-hospital based withdrawal management services; ambulatory outpatient withdrawal management services; short-term residential services; and opioid treatment and maintenance services.

Effective Date Original effective date 12/7/1998
Notes Amended 6/7/2004 and 6/5/2017

03/2017

The Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) issued a bulletin to insurers explaining some of the requirements of the recently-passed A3/S3 (A3/S3 is summarized on our NJ legislative page under “Legislation Signed into Law” for 2016-2017). The bulletin explicitly noted the requirement that if inpatient substance use disorder is denied for not being medically necessary after the first 28 days of coverage, insurers must notify the beneficiary and her provider within 24 hours and make them aware that they can file an expedited appeal.

09/2013

This is not a regulatory action but rather a general executive branch action.

The State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee reached an agreement to provide behavioral health coverage at parity with coverage for other medical care for state employee plans, county employee plans, and municipal employee plans. The design committee for teachers coverage reached a similar acted similarly shortly before this deal was reached.

01/2010

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DBOI) issued a bulletin (pdf | Get Adobe® Reader®) to plans detailing requirements of the then recently-passed sections of the state insurance law about autism coverage (those sections are summarized at the bottom of this page under “New Jersey Parity Law,” “Autism Coverage”). In addition to listing some of the requirements written into the law, the bulletin explained some issues in further detail, such as:

  • Cites another section of the state law to define “developmental disabilities”
  • Clarifies that the DBOI considers the definition of autism to be “pervasive developmental disorders” in the DSM or ICD except for rett’s disorder and childhood disintegrative disorder
  • Listed the services the DBOI considers “based on” applied behavior analysis
  • Listed the services the DBOI considers “related structural behavioral programs”
  • Directs plans to cover services by Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
  • Specified that large employer fully-insured plans cannot use the $36,000 annual maximum because of the Federal Parity Law and the sections of the state law about mental health coverage, which include autism and pervasive developmental disorders as “biologically-based mental illness” (these sections are summarized at the bottom of this page under “New Jersey Parity Law”, “Mental Health Coverage”)
  • Requires plans to cover certain services required by the “Family Cost Share” expense provided through the New Jersey Early Intervention System

National Parity Map

View the state parity reports to learn about legislation, regulation, and litigation related to parity implementation

National Parity Map

Get Support

Common Violations

In seeking care or services, be aware of the common ways parity rights can be violated.