Benefits Law Journal, “Into the Woods: Wilderness Therapy and the Mental Therapy Parity and Addiction Equity Act,” by Abbye Alexander, Esq., Christopher Tellner, Esq., and Henry Norwood, Esq., 6-24-2025

Kaufman Dolowich’s Abbye Alexander, and Christopher Tellner, Co-Chairs of the Health Care/Managed Care Practice Group and Of Counsel Henry Norwood address how questions surrounding insurance coverage for wilderness therapy raises issues under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. 

The article explains that one of the more popular mental health treatment methods, particularly among adolescents and young adults, is wilderness therapy. Wilderness therapy seeks to connect patients with nature
over an extended period of time to resolve a number of mental health conditions. While wilderness therapy has grown in popularity, it has not been without scrutiny, particularly from health insurance providers, questioning the efficacy and necessity of wilderness therapy for coverage purposes.

This is an important article considering that as more health plan members seek wilderness therapy to treat a wide range of mental health and behavioral conditions, members and plans should remain up to date on wilderness therapy court rulings. 

The full article can be read by clicking on the PDF below. 

Benefits Law Journal – June 2025 – Norwood – Tellner – Alexander