We know this to be true, Peter: Mental health is health. And mental health care is just as much of a medical necessity as physical health care.

Unfortunately, we hear too many stories of parents fighting to get their children’s mental health care covered by their insurance companies who claim their treatment is “not medically necessary.”

NBC Nightly News recently reported on the struggle of the Benz-Bushling family in Michigan trying to access critical services for their son, Jonathan. Their insurer denied their claim for residential treatment, saying it was not medically necessary because Jonathan could receive care at a “lower level.” This, despite his care team’s assessment that it would put his life at risk if he left the residential facility.

The Benz-Bushlings appealed several times, with hundreds of pages of documentation, but only received continued denials from their insurer. They ended up taking out a high-interest loan and selling their prized possessions to afford his care. Ultimately, the family had to hire a lawyer and threaten to sue the insurance company to be reimbursed.

This is entirely unacceptable. No family should have to hire lawyers or face financial ruin just to get mental health treatment for their child. That’s why we are working to pass laws in states across the country to hold insurers accountable to cover the care that families pay them for. This past year, we worked with parents in Colorado and Washington who told their stories and helped us pass patient protections that closed loopholes exploited by health insurance companies. We’re gearing up for similar fights next year, and we know parents’ stories will make all the difference.

We thank every parent who shares their powerful personal stories to make change for us all. And we thank you for supporting us in this important work.

Cara Cheevers, VP of Coverage Policy
Inseparable

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