# Understanding the Mental Health Parity Act: A Guide for Providers (From Payer Executives)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/value-based-care-advisory-vbca-podcast-3987193/understanding-the-mental-health-parity-act-a-guide-for-providers-from-payer-executives
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/value-based-care-advisory-vbca-podcast-3987193/understanding-the-mental-health-parity-act-a-guide-for-providers-from-payer-executives.md
Podcast: [Value Based Care Advisory (VBCA) Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/value-based-care-advisory-vbca-podcast-3987193)
Published: 2024-11-01T03:05:00+00:00
Episode link: https://vbcapod.com/episode/understanding-the-mental-health-parity-act-a-guide-for-providers
Audio file: https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/0f486287-2db1-4faf-9128-7a36c06620e5/riverside-mental-health-parity-provider-guidance-session-a-alex.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3218

## Resource

This podcast episode dives deep into the complexities of mental health parity and the implications of the Mental Health Parity Act. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for behavioral health services to be treated with the same level of care and coverage as physical health services, addressing the ongoing disparities in treatment and reimbursement practices. Alex Yarijanian and Dr. Chris Esguerra discuss the challenges providers face when navigating insurance plans and the barriers to accessing equitable care for patients. Dr. Esguerra is board certified in both Psychiatry and Health Care and Quality Management and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians. Dr. Esguerra’s extensive payer-side executive experience includes: Senior Medical Director, Blue Shield of California Senior Medical Director, Magellan Health Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Health Plan Of San Mateo They highlight the critical role employers play in advocating for better mental health coverage and how they can leverage their purchasing power to ensure compliance with parity laws. Ultimately, the episode aims to empower providers with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate effectively for their patients and promote a more integrated and equitable healthcare system. A significant focus of the episode is on the role of providers in identifying and addressing parity violations. The speakers guide listeners through the necessary steps for raising concerns regarding unequal treatment, emphasizing the importance of gathering evidence and understanding insurance policies. This segment is particularly valuable for behavioral health providers who may face obstacles in securing appropriate coverage for their patie…

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