DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
GENERAL NOTICE
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS)/Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) is providing a public notice related to the state's plan to comply with new federal regulations governing the application of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Purpose
The purpose of this posting is to provide public notice and receive public input for consideration regarding Delaware's compliance with the final rule applying the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) to coverage provided to Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) enrollees and coverage provided by the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid Alternative Benefit Plans (ABPs).
Overview
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that applies MHPAEA requirements to Medicaid MCOs, CHIP, and ABPs. Delaware and contracted MCOs must comply with the final Medicaid/CHIP parity rule on or before October 2, 2017.
The final Medicaid/CHIP parity rule requires that coverage provided to MCO enrollees, CHIP beneficiaries, and ABP beneficiaries for mental health and substance use disorders be no more restrictive than coverage for medical/surgical conditions. This requirement applies to:
For additional information about the CMS final Medicaid/CHIP parity rule, use the following link to the CMS website: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/bhs/index.html
Public Comment Submission Process
DHSS/DMMA gives public notice and provides an open comment period for thirty (30) days to allow all stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on the final Medicaid/CHIP parity rule. The comment period begins on August 1, 2017 and ends on September 11, 2017.
Comments and input may be submitted in the following ways:
By email: Nicole.M.Cunningham@state.de.us
By fax: 302-255-4413 to the attention of Nicole Cunningham
By mail: Nicole Cunningham
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
Planning, Policy & Quality Unit
1901 North DuPont Highway
P.O. Box 906
New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906
This notice shall appear for one (1) day only. Please identify in the subject line: Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
Public Hearings
DHSS/DMMA will provide the following opportunities to the public to provide input on the proposed documentation of compliance with the Medicaid/CHIP parity rule in person. Three (3) public hearings are scheduled. The detailed information for each public hearing is shown below.
1. NEW CASTLE COUNTY
Date: August 25, 2017
TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
LOCATION: DDDS Fox Run Center
2540 Wrangle Hill Road
Suite 200, Bear, DE 19701
2. KENT COUNTY
Date: August 22, 2017
TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Legislative Hall
411 Legislative Avenue
Dover, DE 19901
SUSSEX COUNTY
Date: August 22, 2017
TIME: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
LOCATION: Thurman Adams State Svc Center
546 S. Bedford St.
Georgetown, DE 19947
The State will take verbal and written comments at the public hearings. The input provided will be used to formulate Delaware's final documentation of compliance with the Medicaid/CHIP parity rule, which will be posted on the DHSS/DMMA website.
If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the public hearing (e.g., sign language or wheelchair accessibility), please call the following contact at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing for arrangements:
Lauren Gunton at (302) 255-9561
The prompt submission of requests helps to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations in advance.
The state will post on the DMMA website the final documentation of compliance with the Medicaid/CHIP parity rule, with any modifications, by October 2, 2017.
July 10, 2017
Stephen M. Groff Date
Director
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
