The Mental Health Parity Act of 1996
requires parity between the dollar limits imposed on mental health
benefits and those imposed on medical/surgical benefits offered by
group health plans and group health insurance coverage offered by
issuers. Plans may be exempted from this requirement if parity
would result in an increase in costs of at least one percent and
notice requirements are met. Plans electing increased cost
exemption during all or part of the first quarter of 1998 under the
rule's transition provisions must notify the Federal Government and
post a copy of the notice in the workplace.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.