New recommendations released by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) propose that all adults be screened for depression, and those under the age of 65 also be screened for anxiety. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that all USPSTF recommendations with an “A” or “B” grade be covered with no cost-sharing to enrollees. Here, both draft recommendations for depression and anxiety screenings received a “B” grade. Therefore, if the recommendations are finalized, it could ensure mental health screenings were provided with no cost-sharing to consumers.
Whether or not the recommendations will be covered largely depends on the outcome of Braidwood v. Becerra,, a recent lawsuit regarding the ACA’s preventative services coverage requirements. In Braidwood v. Becerra, a federal judge recently ruled that the ACA preventative services coverage requirements violated the Appointment Clause of the US Constitution and the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act. Therefore, Courts are still waiting to determine how this decision will fully impact the preventative services coverage requirements. Read Aimed Alliance’s summary of the case here. Additional information about the USPTF recommendations is available here.
Last Updated on September 30, 2022 by Aimed Alliance
