mental health parity

'I Don’t Want to Die.' He needed mental health care. He found a ghost network

7:00am September 22, 2024

Ravi Coutinho bought a health insurance plan thinking it would give him access to mental health providers. But even after 21 phone calls and multiple hospitalizations, no one could find him a therapist.

Close-up of an unrecognisable sad patient talking about her problems with her therapist in a psychology session.

Insurers can restrict mental health care. What laws protect patients in your state?

7:00am August 27, 2024

It can be really hard to get mental health care in the U.S. Even if you find a therapist in network, your insurer can refuse to cover the prescribed treatment. Here are the laws protecting patients.

Finding a therapist who takes your insurance can be nearly impossible. Here's why

7:00am August 25, 2024

Getting mental health care covered by insurance can be really tough. Reporters spoke to hundreds of therapists who left their insurance networks to find out why.

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Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attends a rally at the US Capitol in March 2008 when she helped get the mental health parity law enacted. Carter died on Nov. 19 at age 96.

Health & Safety

First Lady Rosalynn Carter's legacy on mental health boils down to one word: Hope

5:05am November 24, 2023

by Christine Herman

The former first lady fought with persistence to put care for mental and physical health on equal footing and to eliminate discrimination toward people with mental illnesses.

President Biden delivers remarks on expanding access to mental health care in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday.

'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment

3:06pm July 26, 2023

by Yuki Noguchi

President Biden unveiled a set of proposed new rules for health insurance companies designed to push the industry to cover treatment for mental health problems on par with how it covers medical care.

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A teen's relieved parents finally saw hopeful signs when she got residential treatment. But the family's insurance stopped paying after about two months.

Teen with life-threatening depression finally found hope. Then insurance cut her off

7:53am April 17, 2023

by Rhitu Chatterjee

Despite laws that say mental health care should be paid for on a par with other medical care, health insurance stopped covering the care a suicidal teen needed before she was stable.

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President Biden delivers his State of the Union address on March 1. Among other issues, Biden spoke about his administration's plans to address mental health care in the United States.

Here's what experts say Biden gets right in his new mental health plan

10:39pm March 02, 2022

Mental health advocates applaud the proposals, which they say offer much-needed federal leadership on a growing national crisis. But they worry about getting sustainable funding for the efforts.

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For many Americans who struggle with depression, anxiety or other mood disorders, cost remains a major hurdle to getting treatment, according to a survey published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

More Americans Are Reaching Out For Mental Health Support — But Can't Get It

3:03pm August 24, 2021

by Rhitu Chatterjee

The pandemic has made people more open to seeking help, a new survey finds, but cost and difficulty in finding a mental health care provider are still big obstacles.

Los Angeles County last fall unveiled one of its 10 Department of Mental Health vans aimed at, among other things, reducing long waiting periods for the transport of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Health & Safety

California Poised To Strengthen Mental Health Insurance Laws

5:40pm September 01, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

One of the strongest mental health parity laws in the U.S. is on the governor's desk. It aims to help more than 13 million Californians — including those with milder mental illness and addictions.