Recent federal legislation mandates health plans to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment in the same manner as other medically necessary treatment. The endowed health plans for active and retired faculty and staff will comply with this new requirement Jan. 1, with very little impact on costs anticipated. Cornell already offers a generous mental health/substance abuse program compared with other employers.

The endowed health plans will consider medical, surgical and mental health care coverage using the same evidence-based criteria for treatment. The endowed plans will no longer limit in-patient mental health stays to 45 days, nor limit the number of outpatient counseling visits to 50 per year. Continuing treatment will be subject to the same test of medical necessity that governs coverage for all treatment.

(Note to contract college employees: New York state must also comply with the mental health parity legislation but has not yet released details on how compliance will affect mental health plan provisions.)

This is an important development in health care and the insurance that makes access affordable. Cornell is pleased to be among the employers that have long recognized the value of offering comprehensive care, including mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Paul Bursic is director of Benefit Services.