Pennsylvania Parity Resources
Depending on whether you are filing a complaint or appeal, the contact information below should be able to help you if you have any questions.
For general information about filing a parity appeal for mental health or addictions services, you cannot go wrong with contacting one of the consumer advocates below. Each has years of experience helping consumers in the state of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Health Law Project
877-570-3642
http://www.phlp.org/home-page/about
Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
1211 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
Monday – Sunday 9a-5p
267-507-3340
mhequity@mhasp.org
http://www.philacoalition.org/
When filing an appeal for the first time, you should contact your health plan’s customer service support line or check out their information online. If you choose to appeal an adverse benefit determination concerning your mental health or substance use treatment or benefits, please keep in mind that the timeframe to do so varies by state, plan type, and other factors. Contact your state’s department of insurance for additional information. Here is some contact information for Pennsylvania Health Plans:
Aetna
Contact Member Service phone number on member ID card Member Complaint and Appeal Form found here
Send written request to
Aetna
PO Box 14463
Lexington, KY 40512
Capital BlueCross
Customer Service: (805) 505-2583
Contact email form
Member Appeal Form found here
Mail appeal form to:
Member Appeals Department
Capital BlueCross
PO Box 779518
Harrisburg, PA 17177-9518
Fax: (717) 541-6915
Geisinger Health Plan
Call Member Services: 800-498-9731
Coverage decisions and appeals information found here.
Written appeals send to:
Geisinger Gold Appeal Department
100 North Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822-3220
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Customer Service number found on the member ID card.
Independence BlueCross
Member Services: (800) 275-2583 or call the number on the back of the member ID card
United Healthcare
Contact Member Services at the number on the member ID card
UPMC Health Plan
Member Services Department: (888) 876-2756
Information regarding Complaint and Grievance Process can be found here
Written complaints send to:
UPMC Health Plan
PO Box 2939
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-2939
Insurance Commissioner
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Insurance Commissioner
1209 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(877) 881-6388 Fax: (717) 787-8585
Utilization Management Appeals
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Managed Care
Director, Division of Certification
Health & Welfare Building
625 Forster Street, Room 912
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701
(717) 787-5193
Fax: (717) 705-0947
External Review Appeals
Pennsylvania Department of Health Care Administration, Division of Quality Review
Nursing Services Consultant
30 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 787-5193
Parity Appeals
Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Managed Care
Director, Division of Certification
Health & Welfare Building
625 Forster Street, Room 912
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701
(717) 787-5193
Fax: (717) 705-0947
Additional Pennsylvania Insurance Administration Contacts, click here.
The federal government also can be a helpful resource if you are enrolled in a self-funded plan, Medicare, Medicaid or another type of insurance that is overseen at least in part by a federal agency.
For definitions and filing information refer to the Parity Resource Guide
U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s website on the Affordable Care Act health reform law
(SAMHSA) Implementation Mental Health Parity Addiction Equity Act
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits, Security Administration (EBSA) or toll-free hotline: 1.866.444.EBSA (3272)
For the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services list of exempt state and local plans, please email NonFed@cms.hhs.gov. You may ask them if any particular state and local plan has opted out of MHPAEA.
Information on requirements of employer-based insurance coverage and self-insured health plans.
EBSA has benefit advisors who are available to answer questions and provide assistance in obtaining your benefits.
Veterans and military personnel can use these resources to get help or more information with their medical or behavioral health complaints.
Health Net Federal Services
A grievance is a written complaint or concern about a medical provider.
Click here for specific information regarding who, what and how to file.
TRICARE
View the recently released Tricare Mental Health Fact Sheet.
The appeal process is different based on the benefit issue. Depending on your issue, you can file a:
- Factual appeal
- This is if you were denied payment for services or supplies you received, or if payment was stopped for services or supplies previously authorized.
- Medical necessity appeal
- This is if prior authorization for care or services was denied because it was not deemed medically necessary. Medically necessary means it must be appropriate, reasonable, and adequate for your condition.
- Pharmacy appeal
- This is if you don’t agree with a decision made about your pharmacy benefit. For example, Express Scripts denies your pharmacy claim.
- Medicare-TRICARE appeal
- This is if you’re eligible for both TRICARE and Medicare, and Medicare denies your services or supplies.
If your care is denied, you should receive a letter with details about how to file your appeal.
Veterans Health Administration
Complaints are initially handled through the Patient Advocate.
Patient Advocate can be contacted at your local VA Medical Center.
If you have any additional questions about parity compliance, please contact info@paritytrack.org
Please note: Parity Registry does not automate the appeals process. The information you provide may alert policymakers to possible health plan violations of the law, thereby helping to shape public policy and influence legislation.
You must take follow-up action with your health plan or regulatory agency.