This paper provides an annotated bibliography of four articles that discuss various issues relating to mental health care. Specifically, they discuss various aspects of parity laws as they relate to the provision of mental healthcare. The annotated bibliography gives a brief summary of each article. Besides, it offers a reflection and an evaluation of how the articles address the issue.
McConnell, J. K. (2013). The Effect of Parity on Expenditures for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness. Health Services Research, 48(5), 1634-1652.
In this article, McConnell seeks to determine whether parity laws influence the expenditure of people who have severe mental illnesses. He notes the current trends where there has been an increase in the formulation of parity laws, especially through the enactment of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), which became effective in 2010 (McConnell, 2013). The article takes a comprehensive approach by analyzing the rationale behind parity laws and further by questioning their effectiveness in helping victims of mental illnesses (McConnell, 2013). It acknowledges parity laws that were enacted in Oregon in 2007 as a case study to determine the effects of such laws. He compares the expenditures of individuals who are exempted and/or covered by the laws.
McConnell’s study offers important insights into an area that scholars have overlooked or under-researched concerning the effects of parity laws on the expenditure of people who have severe mental illnesses. His focus on SMI is indeed insightful and a break from other researchers who have not specifically targeted this group in society. The study uses difference-in-differences and difference-in-difference-in-differences analyses as its research designs. These methodologies are very relevant, especially in comparing and estimating spending changes. Hence, they form a significant part of determining the results of the study. The study is a revelation to the understanding of the effect of parity laws on expenditure among people with SMIs.
The information and results of the study are very relevant. The findings have opened the path towards more research on this field. The study can be used as a benchmark for the legislation of future parity laws. Besides, it offers a stepping-stone towards more research by people who are interested in advancing knowledge in this field.
Ostrow, L., & Manderscheid, R. (2009). Medicare Mental Health Parity: A High Potential Change that is Long Overdue. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 37(3), 285-290.
The focus of this article by Ostrow and Manderscheid is on the various policy changes that have occurred with reference to mental health parity. Ostrow and Manderscheid claim that these changes are a move in the right direction and that they will influence equity by promoting adequate care to Medicare-covered people who have various mental health needs (Ostrow & Manderscheid, 2009). The paper begins by giving essential statistics relating to mental health in the US. It goes on to discuss how the welfare of this group was covered in the previous policies. It is evident that the group was initially disadvantaged. However, under the new policies, it will experience a major reprieve, and hence the reasons why Ostrow and Manderscheid believe that the new policies address the group better.
By using the available data, Ostrow and Manderscheid can convince the state why they believe that the new policies will encourage health parity. The paper analyses both sides of the issue. First, it discusses the effects of the new policies on Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). On the other side, it presents their possible implications for behavioral health. The paper offers a sincere opinion. All points of consideration are laid bare for any concerned parties to see and decide for themselves.
The revelations of the paper are very significant. They can be used as a reference point to encourage more policies towards parity, especially for people who have serious mental illnesses. By identifying the effects of the policies, the study can be used to guide legislators in terms of coming up with approaches of addressing some of the raised issues.
Smaldone, A., & Cullen-Drill, M. (2010). Mental Health Parity Legislation: Understanding the Pros and Cons. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 48(9), 26-34.
Smaldone and Cullen-Drill (2010) seek to determine the positive and negative impacts of the recently enacted mental health parity legislation. They recognize the timeliness of this legislation as people with mental health illnesses have been disadvantaged by the previous legislation (Smaldone & Cullen-Drill, 2010). The paper discusses two legislations, namely Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (Smaldone & Cullen-Drill, 2010). The areas of consideration for each policy are on their implications for healthcare access, quality, cost, and the role of nurses in advocating mental health parity. It offers important insights into the impact of the policies. The study offers a strong conclusion in support of such legislation to enhance healthcare access for the target population.
The paper is very relevant to the field of study on mental health parity since it addresses the pros and cons of each policy individually rather than collectively. In addition, it offers important findings that can be used to fine-tune each policy to offer the best results to all stakeholders in this healthcare issue. The article provides a good approach to this topic that continues to receive increased interest from researchers and legislators.
The findings of the paper offer a good starting point for examining what these rulings mean in terms of their benefits and possible drawbacks to the target group. The results can be used in future rulings or in the process of improving the existing policies to maximize the benefits that they are intended to offer to the target populations. Further, it offers a good reference point for future researchers who would like to go deeper into understanding the pros and cons of the legislation.
Trivedi, N., Swaminathan, S., & Vincent, M. (2008). Insurance Parity and the Use of Outpatient Mental Health Care Following a Psychiatric Hospitalization. Journal of American Medical Association, 300(24), 2879-2885.
This study determines the relationship between insurance parity and the use of outpatient mental health services among people who have had a psychiatric hospitalization (Trivedi, Swaminathan, & Vincent, 2008). To determine this relationship, the study follows patients who are covered and who are not covered by insurance parity programs. The study presents the patients’ rate of use of subsequent mental healthcare services. The findings indicate that indeed people who are covered by insurance parity programs have a higher rate of use of these services, as opposed to those who are not covered. Trivedi et al. (2008) assert that the disparity narrows down to cost since individuals who are not insured have to spend more to access primary mental healthcare services. This situation acts as a hindrance to them. Consequently, Trivedi et al. (2008) accurately support the push towards insurance parity for people who have mental health care needs.
In using primary data and the existing data from various medical facilities, the study sets itself to determine the relationship between the variables. The study offers important information on how insurance parity can effectively lead to an increased use of mental healthcare services by those who have been hospitalized for psychiatric conditions. It introduces knowledge to a field that has obviously been ignored for years as evidenced by the many people who still need insurance parity to receive the much-needed mental healthcare services.
Concisely, the findings of the paper are a revelation for more efforts to be put towards increasing insurance parity for people who are under mental healthcare. Despite their disparaging conditions, these people have been sidelined by the healthcare system. The findings are highly applicable for people who seek to extent knowledge in this area. Besides, they guide decision-making towards the betterment of the welfare of people who have mental illnesses in the society.
Reference List
McConnell, K. (2013). The Effect of Parity on Expenditures for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness. Health Services Research, 48(5), 1634-1652.
Ostrow, L., & Manderscheid, R. (2009). Medicare Mental Health Parity: A High Potential Change that is Long Overdue. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 37(3), 285-290.
Smaldone, A., & Cullen-Drill, M. (2010). Mental Health Parity Legislation: Understanding the Pros and Cons. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 48(9), 26-34.
Trivedi, N., Swaminathan, S., & Vincent, M. (2008). Insurance Parity and the Use of Outpatient Mental Health Care Following a Psychiatric Hospitalization. Journal of American Medical Association, 300(24), 2879-2885.