This document provides an overview of essential information necessary for understanding mental health and substance use disorder parity and how to implement and comply with federal parity laws. This guide applies to parity laws in employer-sponsored health plans and group and individual insurance.

There are protections in federal law, collectively known as “parity,” which are designed to ensure that certain types of health plans cover mental and substance use disorders no less generously than they cover other health issues. This resource can guide you to helpful materials and places.

This resource describes the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 for people with employer-sponsored health plans who need treatment for mental and/or substance use disorders. It discusses how to file a claim, the denial of a claim and the appeals process.

This resource guide assists health professionals with helping lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people understand health insurance options under the Affordable Care Act, particularly mental health and substance use benefits and services, and enroll in plans.

This toolkit outlines the essential components for supportive housing services and programs for people living with mental illness disorders. It discusses how to develop and integrate evidence-based programs in mental health systems. The toolkit includes eight booklets on program development.

This toolkit offers guidance to behavioral health officials on developing illness-management and recovery mental health programs that emphasize personal goal setting and actionable strategies for recovery. The toolkit includes 10 booklets on program development.

This kit provides practice principles for supported employment, an approach to vocational rehabilitation for people living with serious mental illness. The kit promotes the belief that everyone living with serious mental illness is capable of working competitively in the community.

This toolkit gives practice principles for integrated treatment for mental illness, substance use disorders, or both, and offers advice from successful programs. The toolkit includes a brochure, a PowerPoint presentation, and a introductory video.