During 2020, The Kennedy Forum identified about 60 published court opinions related to the Federal Parity Law.   Two thirds (66%) or about 40 cases involve full or partial favorable rulings. Federal district courts decisions supporting consumer rights were made in nine states (i.e. CA, IL, MA, MT, NY, OH, TX, UT and WI).  About 50% of these cases were adjudicated in Utah, in large part due to the number of residential treatment centers (RTC) and outdoor behavioral health programs.  The parity legal cases involve full range of MH/SUD conditions and levels of care as detailed below.

2020 Parity Case Summaries

January

D.K. vs. United Behavioral Health

February

David P. v United Healthcare Ins. Co

Jonathan Z. Oxford Health Plans

March

Daniel R. v. UMR & Vivint Solar, Inc.

Wit v. United Behavioral Health:  Order Re Further Remedies Proceedings

Candace B. v Blue Cross & Blue Shield of R.I.

Steve C v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mass., Inc.

April

Jeff N. v. United Healthcare Ins.

M.S. v. Premera Blue Cross

M.C vs. Anthem, Inc. and Anthem UM Services, Inc:  Class Action Complaint

May

Nancy S. v. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Raymond M. v Beacon Health Options, Inc.

June

Daniel B. v Blue Cross & Blue Shield Blue Shield of Texas

N.R. v. Raytheon Co.

Denise M. v. CIGNA Health & Life Ins. Co.

Michael W. v. United Behavioral Health

James C. v Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield

Doe v Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.

July

D.K. v United Behavioral Health

Andrew C v. Oracle America, Inc (Unitedhealthcare Insurance Company)

Heather E. v. Cal. Physicians’ Services

August

Peter E. v. United Healthcare Services

Wit v United Behavioral Health (additional ruling regarding clinical guidelines)

Michele T. v. United Healthcare Oxford

William D v. United Healthcare Ins. Co.

Anne M. v. United Behavioral Health

September

Theo M. v. Beacon Health Options

NR v. Raytheon Appeal Briefs

October

Emch v. Community Insurance Company (dba Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield)

Smith v. Health Care Service Corporation and MCG Health LLC.

November

Jessica U. v Health Care Serv. Corp.

Doe v. United Behavioral Health and United Healthcare Services

Peter E. v. United Healthcare Services

Robert L v. Cigna Health

C.C. v. Scott

A.G. v. Cmty. Ins. Co.

December

Rula A.-S. v. Aurora Health Care

Harvey T. v. Aetna Life Ins. Co.

Wit v United Behavioral Health

J.L. v. Anthem Blue Cross