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The crisis in mental health and substance use care isn’t just about rising need — it’s also about families The crisis in mental health and substance use care isn’t just about rising need. It’s also about families having to fight for treatment their loved ones are legally owed. Every year, millions run into the same devastating barrier: an insurance denial declaring that essential care is “not medically necessary.” And too often, families must navigate that battle alone.
Joe Feldman’s Mental Health Advocacy Journey
That’s the reality that pushed advocate Joe Feldman to act. After his child was denied coverage for residential treatment, he fought back — and won. Then he used what he learned, launching CoverMyMentalHealth.org, a website of resources to help families and clinicians navigate insurance denials with clarity and confidence.
Feldman sat down with host Mohini Venkatesh to discuss his fight and his solution in an episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health & Substance Use. Here are some highlights from their conversation about insurance appeals.
The Challenge of Insurance Denials in Mental Health
Private insurers issue an estimated 15-22 million mental health insurance denials every year. Most families don’t know they can appeal, let alone how to start. Feldman said, “[It’s] far too common of an experience, and one people shouldn’t face alone.”
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act raised expectations but enforcing it is still challenging. He explained, “It doesn’t mandate coverage — it mandates comparable coverage,” leaving gray areas insurers can exploit.
Key Strategies for Winning Insurance Appeals
The Medical Necessity Letter Template
Feldman’s most-used resource helps clinicians translate their clinical expertise into the legal language insurers require. “Clinicians aren’t trained in the legal definition of medical necessity,” he said. “This template gives them a jumpstart.”
Resources for Families and Clinicians
Feldman’s website offers quick, practical aids like a one-page patient handout and webinars. He also frequently presents to clinical teams nationwide. Feldman said, “Encouragement is the first step. People need to hear they don’t have to take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Making a Difference by Standing With Families
For Feldman, mental wellbeing means being present for family and community, values passed down from his father. That spirit anchors his mission: “If even one person gets care because of our resources, we’ve made a difference.”
Access shouldn’t depend on who can fight the hardest. Creating a better system means standing with families and making sure they receive the care they’re entitled to.
Meet the Guest
Joe Feldman began advocating for access to mental health care after overcoming denials for a family member’s care, including with a successful federal lawsuit. His advocacy work has included policy-driven discussions with legislators and regulators, a board role with The Kennedy Forum Illinois, presentations to parent groups, and publication of actionable guidance such as a 2021 article in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice on medical necessity letters.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This post highlights the main themes of the discussion, but the full episode offers deeper insight, perspective and practical guidance for behavioral health clinicians, families and individuals seeking the mental health care they deserve.
Stream the latest episode right here, or listen on your favorite platform.
