The Americans with Disabilities Act: implications for managed care for persons with mental illness and addiction disorders.

This Issue Brief, prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, examines the Americans with Disabilities Act ("the ADA") and its application to managed care. The ADA provides important protections for persons with disabilities who are members of managed care arrangements, regardless of whether their membership is sponsored by an employer, Medicare, or Medicaid or is purchased privately. The interaction between the ADA and managed care is complex, and different issues can arise under publicly and privately sponsored plans.