Vizient Offers Feedback on Mental Health Parity Proposed Rule

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 18, 2023 – Vizient, Inc. submitted comments yesterday in response to the Administration’s proposed rule on updating requirements related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). In our comments, Vizient applauded the Departments for their work to improve access to care for mental health and substance use disorders, provided insights regarding the growing demand for these services, and offered recommendations to support and strengthen the behavioral healthcare workforce, among other suggestions.

To improve patient access to care, Vizient encouraged the Departments to take further steps to support access to telehealth and provide more adequate reimbursement for those providing behavioral and mental health services. Vizient also recommended the Departments consider different strategies to bolster the workforce, such as through additional funding for education and other efforts to reduce workplace violence and promote well-being.

“Improving access to care for mental health and substance use disorders is critical to enhancing patient care,” said Shoshana Krilow, senior vice president of public policy and government relations for Vizient. “Vizient commends the Administration for its ongoing actions to increase access to mental and behavioral healthcare services, as shown by its efforts to update MHPAEA regulations and the latest announcement to extend the COVID-19 telehealth prescriber flexibilities for controlled substances through 2024.”

Vizient remains committed to working alongside healthcare providers in their efforts to increase access to high-quality mental and behavioral healthcare services. In alignment with our MHPAEA comments and efforts to help inform policymakers and other stakeholders, Vizient will bring together key healthcare leaders for a policy briefing on Capitol Hill on Nov. 8 to discuss hospitals’ efforts to provide critical mental and behavioral healthcare treatments and support to their communities, despite the myriad ongoing challenges they face.

To learn more about the upcoming briefing, contact Vizient’s Office of Public Policy and Government Relations.

About Vizient, Inc.
Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 60% of the nation's acute care providers, which includes 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 25% of the non-acute care market. Vizient provides expertise, analytics and advisory services, as well as a contract portfolio that represents more than $130 billion in annual purchasing volume. Vizient's solutions and services improve the delivery of high-value care by aligning cost, quality and market performance. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com.