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Their Son Attempted Suicide. Insurance Denied His Mental Health Treatment Anyway
The Benz-Bushling family faced insurance denials claiming less restrictive care was sufficient, leading to costly appeals and out-of-pocket payments for their son’s necessary residential treatment.
- Johnathan Benz-Bushling, a 16-year-old from Michigan, attempted suicide in February and entered residential treatment at Newport Academy in Washington.
- Doctors recommended nine weeks of residential care, but five days after admission, the insurer denied coverage as not medically necessary, triggering a costly insurance battle.
- The Benz-Bushlings appealed Quantum Health's denial three times with a 270-page document detailing Johnathan's long mental health struggles, but AllMed upheld the denial citing his progress and lack of suicidal ideation.
- To cover treatment costs, the couple took a $25,000 high-interest loan, sold rare Stephen King collectibles, and Misty quit her job to provide full-time care, stating 'the sacrifice was worth it.'
- Following treatment, Johnathan has shown significant progress in his mental well-being, but ongoing insurance disputes and financial challenges underscore the difficulties families face when seeking expensive pediatric mental health care.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
Their son was ‘too unstable to function outside of hospital.’ Insurance denied his mental health treatment anyway
After a suicide attempt, doctors told the Benz-Bushlings their son needed residential mental health treatment. Their insurance said that level of care was...
·Los Angeles, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left10Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution91% Left
Bias Distribution
- 91% of the sources lean Left
91% Left
L 91%
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