New Hampshire Insurance Department Reaffirms Commitment to Mental Health Fairness During Awareness Month

CONCORD, NH (May 5, 2025) – In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) is reaffirming its commitment to the principle that mental health is essential health, and to its mission of ensuring that all Granite Staters have fair access to timely, high-quality behavioral health services.

“Access to mental health services is not just a legal requirement—it’s a moral obligation,” said Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt. “From my first day at the Department four years ago, I made it clear: mental health is not just our top policy priority—it’s a matter of humanity, and for me, a moral imperative. The New Hampshire Insurance Department is proud to lead from the front, advancing innovative, collaborative efforts to break down systemic barriers and expand access to behavioral health care for Granite Staters. Our work is often quiet and rarely celebrated, but it is always driven by a clear purpose: to fight for those who can no longer afford to be ignored.”

Over the past year, the NHID has spearheaded efforts on multiple fronts—regulatory, legislative, and community-driven—to advance parity and foster collaboration across the public and private sectors. This includes reactivating the state’s Mental Health and Addiction Services Advisory Committee to bring together insurers, providers, regulators, and advocates in pursuit of solutions that improve access through private coverage.

In January 2025, the Department hosted the nation’s first Mental Health Parity Symposium, convening policymakers and regulators from across the Northeast to enhance parity enforcement and share best practices. The NHID also issued the region’s first billing guidance on Behavioral Health Integration services to prevent denials that hinder access, and launched a data-driven initiative to protect critical nonprofit providers—particularly those serving at-risk youth—from insurance coverage disruptions.

“By tackling these issues head-on—from payment reform to nonprofit sustainability—the NHID is helping build a more responsive and equitable insurance system,” said Commissioner Bettencourt. “This is about saving lives. It’s about ensuring that no one suffers in silence, and that every person in this state has the dignity of proper mental health care. This is our moment to act, and we intend to do so boldly—with urgency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the consumers who need us most.”

The NHID has also endorsed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) position on the proposed federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) rule, calling for clearer tools and greater flexibility for states to enforce parity effectively. In partnership with former Governor Sununu and now Governor Ayotte’s administration, the Department has worked to streamline licensing and reduce regulatory burdens—while keeping mental health a top priority in efforts to improve coverage access and affordability.

“Governor Ayotte’s leadership is continuing the momentum built over the past several years—with clarity, compassion, and fiscal responsibility—and we’re honored to partner with her administration in this vital work.”

The New Hampshire Insurance Department Can Help

The New Hampshire Insurance Department’s mission is to promote and protect the public good by ensuring the existence of a safe and competitive insurance marketplace through the development and enforcement of the insurance laws of the State of New Hampshire. Contact us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your insurance coverage at 800-852-3416 or 603-271‐2261, or by email at consumerservices@ins.nh.gov. For more information, visit https://insurance.nh.gov/.