The PsychAlliance of Vermont is a statewide association of over 100 licensed and certified mental health professionals working in a wide variety of agency, private practice, and hospital based settings. Through our affiliation with UPV/AFT, we have been able to promote our agenda, which includes:
- Improving access to necessary and appropriate mental health services
- Advocating for parity in employee benefits with respect to coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment
- Protecting and preserving patient privacy and confidentiality
During the past year, we've provided input to UPV/AFT representatives as they evaluated and negotiated mental health and substance abuse benefits. We also worked with our colleagues in the advocacy community to improve the benefits offered by self-insured employers. As a result of these collaborative efforts, we are pleased to report that Fletcher Allen, the state's largest health care provider, has agreed to implement parity in it's health insurance program. This means that there will no longer be differential co-pays, deductibles or annual or lifetime limits on visits or expenditures for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment. We consider this a major victory for employees, and an important demonstration of what can be accomplished by working collaboratively with the broader advocacy community. We would strongly urge other self-insured employers to follow Fletcher Allen's lead and to voluntary implement parity. PsychAlliance members will be happy to assist in the process, wherever possible.
PsychAlliance is also working with UPV/AFT on a statewide membership drive, and on a joint advocacy/public education agenda. In addition we are exploring offering EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services for other UPV/AFT affiliates.
We have also completed publication of our Membership Brochure listing all mental health and substance abuse clinicians affiliated with PsychAlliance and UPV/AFT. To receive a copy of our brochure, or for additional information about the PsychAlliance, please contact Alesia Henry 802-865-3450, or by e-mail at alesia@ocamhs.com.
