LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California residents who have been improperly denied substance abuse treatment by their insurance company now have access to a free statewide legal referral service to help them get the coverage they deserve. The program has been launched by the California Treatment Advocacy Foundation (CalTAF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving access to effective and affordable chemical dependency treatment throughout the state.
“Despite the fact that most health insurance policies written in California already contain some provisions for substance abuse treatment, the system clearly isn’t working as it should,” said Phillip Greer, executive director of CalTAF. “Many insurers continue to impose unreasonable deductibles and co-payments or impose care guidelines that keep patients from receiving treatment at the level of intensity or for an amount of time that is universally accepted as necessary. Our legal referral service is there for people who have been unfairly denied treatment.”
Under the program an individual simply calls 1-888-8-CALTAF (1-888-822-5823) for a free consultation. This consultation includes a legal review by a qualified attorney and advice about legal rights. If an individual has been improperly denied treatment, the caller is referred to an attorney with specialized expertise in insurance claims for further consultation. The referral and initial consultation are free of charge. Individuals who elect to retain a specialized attorney to represent them will be responsible for any fees associated with this representation.
Earlier this year a report issued by the California Office of the Patient Advocate revealed that California health plans are doing a shockingly poor job of providing quality care to individuals in need of alcohol and drug dependency treatment. In comparing the quality scores of California’s eight largest HMOs against national performance, the report revealed that only 13 percent of those adolescents or adults who were diagnosed with alcohol or other drug dependencies had the necessary treatment within 30 days of being diagnosed. As an example, the report revealed that only 10 percent of the California members of Anthem Blue Cross, the country’s largest health plan, received access to the substance abuse treatment they needed. Both Blue Shield of California and Health Net didn’t fare much better at 11 percent each.
“This latest report issued by the state highlights the severity of the issue and need for the referral service we’ve established,” said Greer. “No longer should California residents be denied the care to which they are entitled. This is a legal, moral and societal issue, which should be of grave concern to everyone.”
The California Addiction Treatment Advocacy Foundation is dedicated to improving access to effective and affordable chemical dependency treatment throughout the state. Created in 2011 by a group of concerned California-based accredited providers, CalTAF believes that through insurance reform, either voluntary or mandated, barriers to care can be eliminated, thus making it easier for individuals to get access to the treatment and professionals they need. Further information on the work of CalTAF may be obtained at www.caltaf.org.