U.S. Department of Labor Finds Insurance Companies are Denying Coverage for Substance Use Disorder Treatment; End Substance Disorder Responds
Today, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a report finding that insurance companies are violating federal law by failing to provide adequate coverage for substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health care. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:
“Denying coverage for substance use disorder and behavioral health care is discrimination and endangers the lives of our loved ones,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “We all should be able to afford the treatment we need to heal. But today, too many families are draining their life savings to pay for basic care and many of our loved ones cannot access treatment because it’s too expensive. Insurance companies must be held accountable to providing comprehensive coverage for our behavioral health needs. We applaud Secretary Walsh and Secretary Xavier Becerra for making affordable treatment a top priority of their departments.”
Under landmark legislation that Congress passed in 2008, insurance companies must provide coverage for substance use disorder and behavioral health care equal to the coverage provided for other medical services. This law, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, prohibits insurers from charging higher copays, offering lower coverage, or denying more claims for behavioral health care than they do for other medical services.
Despite this law, families across the country continue to struggle to afford substance use disorder treatment and behavioral healthcare. The Department of Labor report found that insurance companies have been denying coverage for medications, basic tests, and counseling needed to treat substance use disorder and a range of behavioral health conditions from autism to depression and eating disorders. In addition, the report stated that insurance companies failed to comply with a federal law that requires the companies to submit justifications for treatment limitations and support those limitations with evidence.
Currently, the federal government lacks authority to enforce the 2008 legislation, allowing insurers to be slow or reluctant to comply. During this time, countless individuals suffer without access to the care they need to stay safe from overdoses and recover.
Congress will be considering legislation this session to allow the federal government to issue monetary fines to insurance companies for failing to comply with these common-sense laws. End Substance Use Disorder supports legislation that holds insurance companies accountable to providing affordable treatment for substance use disorder.