FTC Staff Submit Comment Supporting Proposed Amendments to Regulations Implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

Summary:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing federal competition and consumer protection laws, which prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. The agency works to promote competition and protect consumers, and provides resources for businesses and consumers to understand their responsibilities and comply with the law.

The FTC has issued a comment supporting proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The comment highlights the devastating toll of substance abuse disorders on individuals, families, and communities, and expresses concerns about the vulnerability of consumers to scams. The agency has used additional enforcement tools to combat addiction treatment scams, resulting in significant civil penalties and redress. The comment emphasizes the importance of combating all illegal practices in the addiction space, including insurance fraud, to protect consumers.

Key points:

FTC enforces federal competition and consumer protection laws
Agency works to promote competition and protect consumers
Comment supports proposed amendments to regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
Comment highlights concerns about vulnerability of consumers to scams
FTC has used additional enforcement tools to combat addiction treatment scams
Agency emphasizes importance of combating all illegal practices in the addiction space, including insurance fraud