April 25, 2016 Listening Session: Consumers, Families, and Providers

Summary of the listening session

This meeting was held in Washington, D.C. at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and hosted by Carole Johnson, White House Domestic Policy Council, Richard Frank, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Phyllis Borzi, Assistant Secretary for Employee Benefits Security at the Department of Labor.

Participants discussed several topics including the need to improve awareness and understanding of parity requirements among key stakeholders, particularly consumers and families. Consumers and families—as well as providers—might need assistance with filing an appeal or complaint when claims are denied, and insurance issuers should be required to disclose enough information when claims are denied to allow a determination of whether parity requirements have been met. Some best practices for monitoring and enforcement were also discussed, as well as the need for transparency in the enforcement process.