Class Action Lawsuits Seek Parity for Treatment of Eating Disorders

OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst

Industry News

In November 2006, two proposed class-action lawsuits were filed in New Jersey United States District Court alleging that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon) and Aetna Inc. breached their contracts with insured people by denying or reducing coverage for the treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The plaintiffs’ case is based on a 1999 New Jersey law that requires health insurers to provide the same coverage for biologically-based mental illness . . .