Alcohol And Drug Rehab Must Be Covered By Pennsylvania Insurance








By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rod_MacTaggart]Rod MacTaggart


A Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has ruled that HMOs and group insurance companies must cover drug and alcohol treatment costs for policy holders referred to detoxification, rehabilitation and outpatient programs by a doctor or psychologist. The unanimous decision will help about 15,000 state residents with private insurance who need help through drug detox and drug rehab each year.


A 1989 state law requires insurance companies to cover drug and alcohol detox and rehab services. Aetna, Independence Blue Cross, the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania and other managed-care groups sued the state s Insurance Department, saying that they should be allowed to review drug and alcohol treatment referrals to make sure that treatment is appropriate. But the court

Bipolar Disorder Medication - What Are Your Responsibilities?
...To Your Doctor As some mental health professionals assume that their patients are already aware of this, it is a good idea for you to bring up the subject if he does not. In addition, if he is of the ...
sided with the Insurance Department’s interpretation that treatment would be covered as long as a doctor or psychologist prescribed the alcohol or drug rehab program.



It’s a really important decision, said Deborah Beck, president of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania. Somebody at the end of an 800 number in another state should never be making these decisions.


The insurance industry could appeal to the state Supreme Court and argue that state law allows insurers to review treatment in other health care areas before paying for care, and that it s reasonable that alcohol and drug detox and drug rehab programs should be treated the same way. The insurance industry s reviews of

Hemorrhoid Removal Is Only Necessary When All Other Treatment Options Fail
...painful and sometimes risky though it is usually successful. Try not to be in such a hurry to remove your hemorrhoids. Given time, your body will do as much as possible to cure them on its own. Many times, the ...
alcohol and drug rehab referrals would be conducted by physicians and psychologists, an Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania spokesman said, adding that when you don’t have scrutiny over treatment patterns, you get increased health care costs.


However, doctors and psychologists who review cases for the insurance companies are paid by the insurance companies. Although this fact was not openly considered as part of the court s ruling, the fact remains that reviewers decisions could tend to favor their employers the HMOs and insurance companies rather than the addicts, whos own treatment professionals have already determined that they need alcohol and drug detox and drug rehab programs.


Battling with HMOs and group insurers over desperately needed coverage

These Are The Top 3 Reasons For Dealing With Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms The Natural Way
...But making that choice isn't always easy. There are many opinions as to which anxiety attack panic treatment is the best: medication or natural cures for panic attacks. While many will choose the option of using both, there are some ...
is nothing new to Americans. The issue has been widely popularized in several books and movies that detailed the horrors resulting from the insurance industry s penchant to favor their bottom line ahead of patient health.


According to Beck, slowing down the availability of alcohol and drug rehab through a complicated approvals process places addicts at risk. They might disappear and die, she said, adding that the court ruling upholds a life-saving law.


After nearly two decades on the books, the Pennsylvania law may finally have the chance to accomplish its intentions to get people suffering from substance abuse and addictions into an alcohol or drug rehab program as quickly as possible.


Rod is

Best Medication For Depression Anxiety - Supplements, Meditation and Psychotherapy
...be the best medication for depression anxiety. Supplements for a healthy mind Eating healthy and well is the best medication for depression and anxiety. Below is a list of some of the foods that can help regulate hormonal imbalance: 1. ...
a freelance writer who contributes articles on health


contact: [mailto:info@drugrehabreferral.com]info@drugrehabreferral.com


drug rehab program http://www.drugrehabreferral.com/content/drug_rehab










Leave a Reply