A federal judge in California granted class action treatment to health plan participants who accused United Behavioral Health of improperly denying coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatment (Wit v. United Behavioral Health, 2016 BL 308110, N.D. Cal., 3:14-cv-05337-JCS, 9/19/16).
The participants’ argument that United Behavioral breached its ERISA fiduciary duties and abused its discretion by developing and applying guidelines for making coverage decisions that were more restrictive than accepted and applicable standards was sufficient to satisfy requirements for class treatment, Judge Joseph C. Spero ruled Sept. 19.
Spero’s ruling allows participants to proceed on ...