A new Mental Health Parity Index—developed by organizations including the American Medical Association—highlights ongoing disparities between mental and physical healthcare access across the U.S., despite existing parity laws.
Built using transparency data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the tool analyzes payer networks, reimbursement, and access to care. Its findings show that 43 states still face significant gaps in access to in-network mental health and substance use disorder services.
Key Trends Identified:
- Limited Access to In-Network Care
In roughly 70% of U.S. counties, patients have more difficulty finding in-network mental health providers compared to physical health clinicians. - Persistent Payment Disparities
Across major commercial health plans, behavioral health clinicians are paid 16% to 59% less for outpatient services than their physical health counterparts. - Network Participation Gaps
In-network availability for behavioral health providers trails physical health providers by 24% to 83%, limiting patient choice and timely access to care. - Inconsistent Parity Performance
No insurer consistently meets parity standards nationwide, though some plans perform better in select regions.
Resource: 43 states have mental health insurance disparities: 4 trends