Delaware's Department of Justice has a new program to help Delawareans denied coverage for substance abuse treatment.
Attorney General Matt Denn says the Department of Justice's new legal assistance program is up and running and ready to assist anyone dealing with substance abuse treatment coverage denials.
"One of the problems that we hear most often from people who are trying to deal with substance abuse, is that their insurance coverage doesn't allow them enough time to complete treatment and recovery programs that they're allowed in through detox or if they get short-term treatment or they get cut-off before they're really done with their treatment," said Denn.
Denn says under the new program, believed to be the only one of its kind in the country, the DOJ will retain attorneys and other professionals to help persons appeal substance abuse treatment benefit denials by private insurance carriers or the state's Medicaid program.
The new program is made possible by a law passed by the General Assembly last spring and signed by Gov. Carney in May.
"We are paying for the program with funds that were authorized by House Bill 100. We have a consumer fund that has limitations, appropriately, on what we are allowed to use it for. What the bill did, and it was a bill with bi-partisan sponsorship, was to add one item to what we're allowed to use this consumer fund for," said Denn.
If you're denied coverage, Denn says you should call the new hotline at 302-577-4206, email dojtreatmentassistance@state.de.us or go to the Attorney General's website at attorneygeneral.delaware.gov.
