How to Use Your Insurance for Rehab in Florida (Without Getting Screwed)
Federal law requires your insurance to cover addiction treatment. Here's what they're hoping you don't know — and how to make them pay.
The Mental Health Parity Law — Your Legal Right to Coverage
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) requires that most commercial health insurers cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment at the same level as medical and surgical care. In practice, many insurers violate this law routinely — counting on patients not knowing their rights.
What to Watch For
Excessive prior authorization hurdles for behavioral health vs. physical health
Lower reimbursement rates that push behavioral health providers out-of-network
Vague clinical criteria (NQTLs) used to deny care
Concurrent review denials — cutting off inpatient coverage mid-treatment
How to Fight a Denial
Request an internal appeal within the insurer (typically 60-180 day deadline)
Request an independent external review (IRO)
File a complaint with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FLOIR)
Request a peer-to-peer review — your provider's clinical team speaks with the insurer's medical reviewer
Let us verify your benefits — free
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