My insurance company would not pay for treatment

When insurance companies do not cover treatment, patients often forego care or they or their families have to make difficult financial decisions.

By Barbara Hampton

The cost, at this point in my life, was beyond my financial ability. I was still paying off treatment he had received in years prior at substandard facilities that I had charged on credit cards. I even transferred to no-interest lines of credit in order to space out the payments for previous treatments. I was a widowed school teacher, with my last child still living at home and finishing college. With terror in my gut, I tearfully and patiently listened to the treatment personnel. They thoroughly explained the treatment and cost and enrolled him — even though I had no idea at the time how I’d be able to pay.

The Problem

Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Parity Act), most private and public insurers are required to cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment in the same way they cover treatment for any other disease. Although the Parity Act has been law for over 10 years, it has not been fully implemented or enforced. As a result, families continue to face numerous barriers when seeking affordable care, may be illegally denied coverage, and struggle to navigate a complex and burdensome insurance process in a time of crisis.

The Solution

Provide federal and state insurance regulators with additional tools to enforce the Parity Act.

Take Action

Tell your members of Congress to strengthen enforcement of the Parity Act.

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