Foster Higgins National Survey: trends in behavioral benefits

Most employer-sponsored health insurance plans provide some coverage for mental health and addiction treatment. However, analysis of over 3,000 employer benefit plans reveals wide variation in the level and scope of behavioral health benefits. Of all commercially insured employees and dependents, 77 percent are currently enrolled in health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), or point-of-service (POS) managed care plans. This article documents the differences among behavioral health coverage packages in these three different types of managed care organizations (MCOs), and the lower levels of behavioral health coverage compared with coverage for other medical care. The author states that some employers are selecting single-specialty managed behavioral carve-out plans specifically to increase benefit levels and improve quality of care.