Georgia launches mental health parity dashboard, fines insurers nearly $25M

Georgia’s Mental Health Parity Act was passed in 2022 and requires Georgia health insurers to cover mental health and substance-use conditions at the same rate as physical health conditions.

However, compliance has been difficult.

Now, a new centralized dashboard is set to launch that will track issues with insurance coverage for mental health care claims, according to WABE.

John King, Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, announced Jan. 12 that he would fine health insurance companies nearly $25 million for violating Georgia’s Mental Health Parity laws.

“I said it before and I’ll say it again: insurance companies will not take advantage of consumers under my watch,” King said in a statement. “These companies are not above the law, and I am taking definitive action to hold them accountable for denying Georgians the care they need.”

The website will be monitored by the nonprofit Georgians for a Health Future to help track violations, according to WABE.

The commissioner’s office is conducting in-depth examinations of 22 health insurers that was triggered by an initial report in 2023. Initial examinations found more than 6,000 parity violations.

“I want insurers to know that I am serious about the health and wellbeing of all Georgia consumers. I will not hesitate to take action against any company that continues to violate the law – no exceptions,” King said.

Consumer insurance complaints can be filed at oci.georgia.gov.