The news: The Biden Administration issued final rules indicating that group health plans and private health insurers will be required to cover mental healthcare and addiction services the same as they would for any physical condition.

• This includes prohibiting health plans from using more restrictive prior authorization, step therapy, and provider network standards.
• Most of the rules go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Zooming out: The rules come amid a worsening mental health crisis in the US, driven in part by limited access to care, even among Americans with health insurance.