This page was last updated on April 2, 2012.
Insurers should not have final say on mental health; Stacie Kelly; Beaver County Times; April 1, 2012.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“I am writing regarding mental health policies. The suicide rate is skyrocketing. The thing that bothers me is that because of ‘insurance protacol [sic],’ people are being discharged from mental health wards. People who are seriously depressed or suicidal are being sent home after ‘medication changes.’”
[RWC] As you read this letter, you’ll find Ms. Kelly makes a lot of allegations but provides zero supporting evidence. I don’t know if Ms. Kelly’s assertions are true or not.
“These insurance companies should not have total control. The doctors should be the ones making the decisions. It is totally ridiculous that people who really need treatment are thrown out on the street when the insurance companies say they are better. In fact, most people in this situation are no better than when they were admitted in the first place.”
[RWC] Even if this were true, shouldn’t a person know what’s in his policy before he buys it?
“Mental health is a serious illness and people aren’t getting treatment that they deserve and need. We need to talk with legislators about these policies. In truth, it is very difficult for anyone, no matter what illness they are fighting, to get proper health care.
“Please call your local senator or state representative so that we can voice our opinions. If we stick together, changes can be made. We need to fight for our families and friends. No one else should die because of these insurance company policies. Lets [sic] take action!”
[RWC] Even if the stuff Ms. Kelly claims is true, why involve the government? As I noted above, it’s the responsibility of the consumer to know what he’s buying before he buys it. If an insurer violates a policy’s provisions, that’s when you file charges.
Finally, “there ain’t no free lunch.” The more we expect an insurer of any kind to cover, by necessity the more we will pay in premiums.
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