If you break your arm, you pretty much know that any Texas doctor will treat it.
By law, if your health plan offers mental health services, the plan must provide the same level of benefits that you’d get for that arm or any other injury or illness.
Mental health “parity” guarantees:
- Equal treatment. Health plans must have enough in-network doctors and facilities for routine and emergency care of behavioral health issues.
- The right to challenge denials. Always ask “why” if your mental health insurance claim is denied. Your health plan will have a process for reviewing the denial and a way to appeal.
- The right to external review. You can also ask for a free external review. An independent third party will review your request, and its decision has to be honored by the plan.
If you need help finding services, call the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at 800-252-8154.
Have a question about insurance? Call the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439 or visit www.tdi.texas.gov.
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These columns by the Texas Department of Insurance are available for use in publications. They may be edited as needed and used without copyright. For questions, contact TDI media relations at 512-676-6595 or MediaRelations@tdi.texas.gov.