Universal Health Services CFO Steve Filton said he does not think expanded mental health parity rules will have a huge effect on the system's volumes.
On a Oct. 25 investor call, transcribed by Seeking Alpha, Mr. Filton said strengthened government regulations can be helpful, but aren't likely to create a "landscape change."
In September, the Biden administration finalized rules requiring insurers to cover mental healthcare at the same level as other health services. The rules are intended to strengthen the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
"I think we've benefited [from mental health parity] to some degree, but I think the payers and the payer community broadly has been challenging in terms of getting them to comply with both the spirit and the actual intent of mental health parity," Mr. Filton said.
Insurers and employers objected to the rules when they were proposed. In October, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said the proposed rules could lead to an increase in care that is not clinically recommended.
The regulations could face legal challenges, according to a September report from Politico.
Mr. Filton said strengthened government regulations can be helpful when appealing denials from payers.
"I don't think that's going to drive a huge increase in behavioral volumes," he said.
King of Prussia, Pa.-based UHS operates 332 behavioral health hospitals.