TSA Testifies for Mental Health Parity

tourette syndrome association

requests the inclusion of Mental health parity within medicaid

On November 16, Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA) Board Member, Sandra Hollis, whose son, Zak has Tourette Syndrome, testified before the Medicaid Commission about the financial disparities that exist between the coverage for mental illness and physical illness and requested the inclusion of Mental Health Parity in the Commission’s report regarding long-term recommendations for Medicaid.

For historical reasons TS has been classified as a mental health disorder in the reference lists used by health maintenance organizations and health insurers. This is so despite the fact that TS is an inherited, neurobiological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and sounds. Both neurologists and psychiatrists treat the disorder, using the same medications.

As a result of the arbitrary classification of TS in the mental health category, many people with TS have been denied or greatly limited in receiving reimbursement for expenses of treatment relating to hospital stays, office visits, and medications. This bipartisan bill would take great strides in ending the use of arbitrary, one-size-fits-all limits on mental health benefits that are different from limits on other medical and surgical benefits.

Sandra testified about the high costs (over $150,000) of Zak's Tourette Syndrome care that would otherwise have been much cheaper if the insurance covered the services when Zak needed them and within their own community. “Our family should not have to battle to receive the testing and services Zak requires for his Tourette Syndrome, " said Sandra.

Judit Ungar, President, TSA considers “The Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act” (H.R. 1402) a prime legislative objective for the TSA. She says “Individuals with TS and any mental health related illness should be treated the same as any individual with a physical illness in receiving unrestricted medical treatment and services."

For this great reason alone, among other cost factors related to TS treatments and therapy, the TSA has requesting both verbally and in writing the Department of Health and Human Services to modify the 1996 parity law by eliminating financial disparities (co-payments, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs) and restrictions on the frequency of treatments [day(s) and visit(s) limits] to simply offer the same level of coverage for mental health care as is provided for medical and surgical care under Medicaid.

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