Securing insurance benefits for the treatment of an eating disorder can be an extensive battle. This battle often comes in the form of repeated denials, being told you can “be safely treated at a lower level of care,” appeals, and even being quoted incorrect benefit information. Those who suffer from eating disorders, and their families, […]
Category Archives: Parity
A New Bill Introduced By Sen. Al Franken to Expand Access to Mental Health Care for Students
On January 31, 2013 Senator Al Franken (D-MN) announced the introduction of the Mental Health in Schools Act, a bill designed to make mental health treatment accessible for students. This bill would facilitate the relationship between schools and community mental health centers in order to improve access to care.Senator Franken believes that attending to the […]
Sandy Hook Elementary: What We Need to Learn
Today is one week since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was a horrifying and an unspeakable act of violence. The terror that ripped through the community of Newtown will impact the minds and hearts of all Americans, for a long time to come. As a nation we are slowly processing the tragedy […]
Seeking Legal Assistance for Treatment of an Eating Disorder: 4 Things You Should Know
At Kantor & Kantor, LLP, we understand that dealing with and seeking treatment for eating disorders can be emotionally and financially devastating. When your health insurance company denies payment for benefits, matters only go from bad to worse. We can help.Use the tips below to advocate for insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment:Keep these steps […]
Parity and Disparity Coast to Coast: A Case Study
Merriam-Webster defines par◦i◦ty as, “the quality or state of being equal or equivalent.” Derived from the Latin word for equal, paritas, its origin dates back to 1608. Such lineage, however, has done little to integrate the concept of parity into the vocabulary and mind set of the health insurance industry when it comes to approving […]
California Court Rules Insurer Must Provide Residential Treatment Coverage
Just a few months ago, a California district court ruled that the state’s Mental Health Parity Act requires Blue Shield of California to pay for benefits for residential treatment for a client’s major depressive disorder and panic disorder. This was the first case to apply the earlier landmark ruling, Harlick v. Blue Shieldof California , […]
Eating Disorder Patients Fight Twice the Battle: Their Illness & Their Insurance Carrier
The BattleA national struggle persists, and threatens the lives of roughly 11 million Americans. Eating disorders, the deadliest of all mental health illnesses, torment millions of people, and only one in ten get the treatment essential for recovery (Making Peace with Women’s Bodies).The Emily Program (one of the largest eating disorder treatment facilities in the […]
Mental Health Parity: What Does It Really Mean?
One of the most significant barriers for those suffering from eating disorders (and other mental health illnesses) is obtaining insurance coverage for residential treatment. In the US, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are suffering from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and tragically, anorexia has the highest mortality rate […]
Blue Shield Must Provide Residential Care Benefits for Substance Abuse: Mental Health Parity Mandates Coverage for Underlying Depression and Panic Disorders
LOS ANGELES, JANUARY 18, 2012 – Kantor & Kantor, LLP, LLP announced today that the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled in favor of the firm’s client Laura Burton, deciding that California’s Mental Health Parity Act mandates that Blue Shield of California must provide benefits for residential treatment of Ms. Burton’s […]
Lisa Kantor Joins The Eating Disorders Coalition
“On behalf of the EDC, I want to warmly welcome Lisa Kantor to our board. We have followed her impressive legal work on behalf of those suffering from eating disorders and are thrilled to have her on our team.” -Lisa Rachelle Lilenfeld , Ph.D. Board PresidentTwo great forces are coming together with admirable determination, lofty […]
