ORSAM Supports Proposed Changes to Parity Rules

On November 22nd, the Oregon Society of Addiction Medicine (ORSAM) wrote a comment letter to the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services expressing support for proposed changes to the Mental Health Parity Rules. The rule changes build upon landmark parity legislation that was signed into law in 2021.

In the letter, ORSAM praised the proposed rule changes as a step forward to protect coverage parity for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Currently, Oregon is struggling with escalating overdose death rates and comparatively low access to treatment. As such, ORSAM emphasized the importance of expanding evidence-based treatment throughout the state. Within the proposed changes, ORSAM favorably highlighted provisions requiring that level of care placement determination be based on non-profit medical association criteria. ORSAM also noted the importance of ensuring that FDA-approved medications for addiction treatment (MAT) are covered by insurance without obstruction.

Read the letter here.