Family Faces Financial Struggle to Secure Mental Health Care for Daughter

Rachel Levasseur endured a seven-year search for effective treatment for a complex form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This condition led her to believe she was a threat to others, resulting in multiple suicide attempts. A turning point came when her parents contacted a therapist at Sheppard Pratt, a psychiatric hospital in Maryland.

At Sheppard Pratt, Levasseur joined the self-pay residential treatment program known as The Retreat. This program offers a personalized care team consisting of psychiatrists, therapists, and other providers. After a year there, Levasseur saw improvement. She hadn’t attempted suicide and became more social, engaging in activities like dining out or attending concerts.

However, her insurance provider, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, covered little of the treatment cost, leading to an abrupt end in March. The nearly $3,000 daily fee became unaffordable for her family, leaving her insurance issues unresolved.

“It’s confusing how insurance doesn’t recognize my improvement,” said Levasseur. “They focus on money instead of my life.”

The Levasseurs owe about $1.3 million, even after taking a second mortgage and depleting retirement savings. CareFirst and the hospital did not comment on the case due to privacy laws.

The family highlighted the challenge of finding exceptional mental health providers within insurance networks, especially for complex cases. More than a third of psychologists surveyed by the American Psychological Association last year didn’t accept insurance, citing insufficient reimbursements and denied coverage.

Outside the specialized program, Rachel’s condition declined, prompting her stay in the hospital’s in-network inpatient unit. Insurance complications prevent readmission to The Retreat until owed sums are settled. Levasseur’s OCD is compounded by autism spectrum disorder, complicating her medical and insurance situation.

Her condition included fears of germs or illness. Before The Retreat program, her parents needed constant vigilance to ensure her safety. The specialized care proved vital. I truly believe Rachel wouldn’t be alive today without The Retreat, said her mother, Kandy.

Exhausting All Options

The Levasseurs knew The Retreat was out of network but hoped for an exception, as similar programs showed little success. CareFirst representatives suggested the possibility of a “single case agreement” if there was no in-network alternative. Despite proving care was unavailable elsewhere, their attempts to change CareFirst’s coverage failed.

The Maryland Employee Benefits Division stated no negotiations with providers, and the hospital declined a single case agreement. Yet, Sheppard Pratt expressed willingness to negotiate, contrasting earlier statements.

The family struggled to secure comparable in-network care options. They asked CareFirst for alternatives but received none.

Rachel’s Hard Work and Mental Health

Rachel’s bedroom symbolized her struggle. Motivational sayings adorned her space, providing encouragement amid crisis. Her bookshelves featured reminders of her journey.

A common therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, was ineffective. Instead, radically open dialectical behavior therapy proved beneficial, addressing black-and-white thinking patterns and emotional suppression.

“At The Retreat, it was different,” said Levasseur. No one was giving up on me. It felt like a place focused on my improvement with individualized support.

The program acknowledged her progress in a treatment plan, stating she was in the right setting for sustainable progress. The Levasseurs argued the program could save insurance money with complete coverage, avoiding prolonged treatment.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out to mental health resources like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.