Further mental health parity update

Your FEHBlog learned from the Business Insurance reporter that the House and Senate negotiators adopted the effective date provision from the Senate bill (S 558) which reads as follows:

The provisions of this Act shall apply to group health plans (or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such plans) beginning in the first plan year that begins on or after January 1 of the first calendar year that begins more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Assuming enactment in 2008, the new mental health parity provisions would apply to FEHB plans for the 2010 contract year, which is a relief.