Providing a Routine Medical Necessity Letter to Improve Access to Care for Our Patients

This column explains the value of developing routine medical necessity letters to help patients maximize the likelihood of securing insurance approval for medically necessary services for the treatment of mental and substance use disorders, including psychotherapeutic treatment. The structure proposed for such medical necessity letters is based on the terms of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the landmark verdict in the federal class action known as Wit v. United Behavioral Health/Optum.