Denied services for mental heath care?

1. Contact your insurance company.

If you've been denied mental health care services, the first step is to contact your insurance company. They may have made an error or have information about other covered services that you're not aware of. When you call, be sure to have the following information handy:

- Your name and member ID number

- The date of the denial

- The name of the service that was denied

- The reason for the denial

- A copy of the denial letter, if you received one

2. File an appeal with your insurance company.

If you're still dissatisfied with the insurance company's decision after speaking with them, you can file an appeal. The appeals process will vary depending on your insurance company, but you can generally find instructions on how to file an appeal on their website or by calling customer service. When you file an appeal, be sure to include the following information:

- Your name and member ID number

- The date of the denial

- The name of the service that was denied

- The reason for the denial

- A copy of the denial letter, if you received one

- Any other relevant information, such as medical records or letters of support from your doctor

3. Contact your state insurance department.

If your appeal is denied, you can contact your state insurance department to file a complaint. The insurance department can investigate your complaint and may be able to help you resolve the issue. To find contact information for your state insurance department, you can visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website.

4. Seek legal advice.

If you're still unable to resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking legal advice. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and can represent you if necessary.

Here are some additional tips for dealing with denied mental health care services:

- Keep track of all of your communications with your insurance company and the state insurance department.

- Be polite and respectful when speaking with customer service representatives.

- Be persistent in your efforts to get the care that you need. Don't give up if you're denied at first.

- If you're struggling with mental health issues, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to help you, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).