Benefit Limits for Behavioral Health Care in Private Health Plans.

The article reports on the benefit limits for mental health and substance abuse treatment (MH/SA). Most private health plans limit the number of days, visits or dollars available for MH/SA. For instance, 90% limit out patient MH and 93% limit on SA treatment. Insurers' perceived that benefit limit is for cost containment purposes. As a result, it will place major financial burdens for families for long lasting treatment: an average of $2, 710 for mental visits, or $2, 400 for substance abuse.