New Mexico’s Experiment with Affordable Behavioral Health Care: A Mixed Study on the Impact of No-Cost Sharing Act.

New Mexico made history two years ago with a law that eliminated behavioral health co-pays for individuals with specific insurance plans. A recent study on the impact of this law has revealed mixed results. The study, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and KUNM listeners, was conducted by Ezra Golberstein, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota.

Golberstein was surprised when he first learned about the No Behavioral Health Cost Sharing Act, as it was the first of its kind in the country. The goal of the law was to reduce costs for consumers and improve access to mental health care. However, the study showed that out-of-pocket costs decreased in the initial six months after implementation, but did not lead to an increase in individuals seeking mental health treatment.

One limitation of the law is that it primarily targets employer-provided insurance, but many large employers in New Mexico are exempt due to a carve-out for “self-funded” insurance. However, individuals covered by insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace or state employees are affected by this law. Golberstein noted that New Mexico is still testing the effectiveness of such legislation and further research is underway.

Despite its limitations, the study sheds light on New Mexico’s unique approach to improving access to and affordability of behavioral health services.