Understanding Mental Health Parity: Your Rights to Affordable Therapy in Maryland

When you seek medical care for a physical injury in Maryland, you likely have a clear expectation of what your insurance will cover. However, when it comes to mental health, many residents in Catonsville, Columbia, and Ellicott City find the process confusing or unnecessarily expensive.

At Stride Forward Counseling we believe that financial uncertainty should never be a barrier to healing. Understanding Maryland’s Mental Health Parity laws is the first step in ensuring you get the coverage you deserve.

What is Mental Health Parity?

Mental health parity means that insurance companies are legally required to provide the same level of benefits for mental health and substance use disorder services as they do for medical and surgical care.

In short: Your brain shouldn’t be treated differently than your body by your insurance provider.

The Preserve Telehealth Access Act (2025–2026 Update)

For many Marylanders, virtual therapy has become a lifeline. Whether you’re balancing a commute on I-95 or managing a busy household in Howard County, online counseling offers essential flexibility.

Maryland has long been a leader in telehealth rights. The Preserve Telehealth Access Act, which saw critical updates for the 2025–2026 cycle, mandates that Maryland-regulated insurance plans must provide “payment parity.”

What this means for you:

• Equal Copays: If your insurance plan requires a $20 copay for a visit to a primary care physician, they generally cannot charge you a higher copay (like $50) for a session with a licensed Maryland therapist.

• No Geographic Restrictions: You can access care from your home in Baltimore or your office in Columbiawithout worrying if your “location” affects coverage.

• Audio-Only Options: The law also protects coverage for those who may have technology barriers, ensuring that mental health care is accessible to all.

How We Help Maryland Residents Navigate Insurance

Navigating the “Summary of Benefits” from providers like CareFirst BCBS, Aetna, or Cigna can feel like learning a second language. As a local Maryland practice, we take an active role in helping our clients understand their rights under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).

When you start therapy with us, we don’t just provide clinical support; we help you verify that your Maryland-regulated plan is adhering to these parity standards. If your plan covers physical doctor visits, it should be working just as hard to cover your mental health journey.

About the Author Rachel Collins:

Rachel Collins, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and the founder of Stride Forward Counseling, a premier multi-state group practice based in Maryland and Colorado. As a specialist in high-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, and complex relationship dynamics, Rachel has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between evidence-based clinical science and compassionate, values-driven care. She is an expert in advanced trauma-processing modalities, including Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and is highly trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and the Gottman Method for couples. Through her leadership at Stride Forward, Rachel oversees a diverse team of clinicians and is a vocal advocate for therapist wellness and LGBTQIA+ affirming care.