Document that provides a general description of the responsibilities that are to be assumed by two or more parties in their pursuit of some goals. It is used when agencies enter into a joint project in which (1) they each contribute their own resources and the scope of work is broad and not specific to any one project or (2) there is no exchange of goods or services between the participating agencies.

Equality of health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and substance abuse services. National and state organizations have made efforts to obtain progress in this direction. See Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA).

Federal legislation enacted on September 26, 1996, that prohibits a lifetime dollar amount on mental health benefits by group health insurance plans and those that issue coverage under such plans.

Psychiatrist, social worker, psychiatric nurse, psychiatric hospital, or other institution for mental disease that is licensed to render mental health services.

Insurance payer phrase for health care services given to members of a managed care or private plan for emotional problems or chemical dependency.

Any type of illness in which psychological syndrome, intellectual, emotional, or behavioral dysfunction is the main feature.

Disorder characterized by significantly below average general intellectual function with deficits or impairments in the ability to learn and to adapt socially. The cause may be genetic, biological, psychosocial, or traumatic.

Guide or teacher who offers advice, criticism, wisdom, guidance, and perspective to an inexperienced but promising protégé to help reach a life goal.

Agent or third party that conveys to purchasers information obtained individually from providers in the network about the prices the network participants are willing to accept and conveying to providers any contract offers made by purchasers. Each provider then makes an independent, unilateral decision to accept or reject each contract offer.