Abstract
A substantial proportion of treatment for mental and substance use disorders is in the private sector, with private insurance accounting for about 24% of mental disorder expenditures and 10% of substance use disorder expenditures in 2003 ( 1 ). With the recent federal parity legislation and health care reform, the role of private insurance may increase in the future. Under the parity law, plans that cover behavioral services must provide coverage equivalent to that of general medical services. Under health reform, the essential benefits package required for plans in the insurance exchange includes behavioral health and thus must also meet parity requirements.