Denied for Mental Health Treatment? Here's What You Can Do

Episode Summary In this episode of From the Clinic to the Courtroom: Health Law Unpacked, host Kevin Rosenquist is joined by Maria T. Santi, Esq., founder and managing partner of the Health and Medicine Law Firm, to unpack the frustrating—and often confusing—reality of mental health treatment denials by insurance companies. Maria dives into: Why these denials happen The different levels of mental health care How the Mental Health Parity Law impacts coverage Steps patients and families can take to fight back What documentation is essential in legal appeals Why persistence and proper legal support can make all the difference Whether you're a patient, parent, provider, or policymaker, this conversation sheds critical light on the legal rights surrounding mental health care access. Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome to From the Clinic to the Courtroom 00:35 – Why insurance companies often deny mental health treatments 01:10 – Levels of mental health care and how insurers determine coverage 02:31 – Has access to mental health treatment improved? 03:09 – How mental and physical health are treated differently by insurers 04:47 – Do insurers have to follow the Mental Health Parity Law? 05:42 – What to do if your mental health treatment is denied 07:07 – How successful are appeals, and what affects outcomes? 08:03 – How providers can help strengthen an appeal 08:32 – What needs to change to improve success rates 09:20 – What patients and families should keep in a documentation file 10:30 – How personal and family history may factor in 12:33 – Questions lawyers ask to evaluate a denial case 14:08 – The financial incentives behind insurance denials 15:22 – Know your rights and don’t give up About the Show From the Clinic to the Courtroom: Health Law Unpacked brings you inside the intersections of healthcare, insurance, and law with Maria T. Santi, Esq., a seasoned health law attorney and founder of the Health and Medicine Law Firm. Each episode provides practical legal insights and real-world strategies for patients, families, and providers navigating complex healthcare challenges.