Mental health disorders are among the leading pre-existing conditions that can lead to health insurance denials, according to a recent report by the U.S. Government Accountiability Office (GAO). Mental health disorders were second only to hypertension as the most commonly reported medical conditions among adults that could result in a health insurer denying coverage, requiring higher-than-average premiums, or restrictions on coverage. The GAO report is entitled, “Estimates of Individuals with Pre-Existing Conditions Range from 36 Million to 122 Million.”
Beginning January 1, 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) prohibits health insurers in the individual market from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or restricting benefits because of any pre-existing condition.
The GAO report can be found here. For more information about the health care reform law see Psychiatric News here. And APPI has published “Healthcare Reform: A Primer for Psychiatrists,” which is online here. (Image: Gelpi/shutterstock.com)
