Naturopathic physicians have filed a class-action lawsuit against Health Net and its plan administrator American Specialty Health Group alleging the insurer denied claims for medical services provided by the naturopathic physicians that would have been covered if other medical providers had administered the services, according to a Portland Business Journal report.
Health Net Health Plan of Oregon is specifically targeted in the lawsuit. The physicians claim the insurer discriminated against them by not covering certain services within the scope of a naturopathic physician's license. The physicians further allege the insurer placed an annual limit on reimbursable office visits to naturopathic physicians, while not imposing a limit on office visits to other medical providers, according to the report.
The physicians claim Health Net's discriminatory practices are a violation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requirements that mandate for non-discriminatory healthcare.
Health Net spokesman Brad Kieffer told the Portland Business Journal the company had not seen the complaint and could not comment.
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