Out-of-pocket costs for mental health care appointments for patients in the military health care system would be capped under a bill introduced in Congress on Wednesday.
Under the Stop Copay Overpay Act, Tricare users’ out-of-pocket fees for outpatient behavioral and mental health visits would not be allowed to cost more than those for primary care visits. The limitation could cut patients’ costs by an average of 48%, according to a news release from the office of Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., one of the bill’s sponsors.
“As a veteran, I’ve seen too many brave men and women struggle to access the mental health care they need and deserve. It’s not right,” Houlahan, a retired Air Force captain, said in a statement. “Mental health care is health care, and creating cost parity between primary care visits and behavioral and mental health visits would be one giant leap forward in ending the stigma to seek treatment.”
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Houlahan and fellow Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican, previously introduced the bill in 2021, but it went nowhere. This year, they are being joined in introducing the legislation by Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, possibly giving the measure a boost of bicameral momentum.
In 2018, Tricare copays across the board increased as the health insurance for service members, their families…