The company claims that the lawsuit “challenges the common sense practice that health plans reimburse health care providers with different training, experience, and licensure at different rates.” (Photo: Shutterstock)

Affiliates of UnitedHealth Group Inc. the nation's largest health insurer, have taken their first shot at knocking out a class action lawsuit claiming they are illegally underpaying reimbursements for mental health services.

Lawyers at Zuckerman Spaeder and Psych-Appeal, Inc. sued United Healthcare Insurance Co. and United Behavioral Health in October claiming that the companies imposed arbitrary reimbursement penalties for certain psychotherapy services provided by psychologists and master's-level counselors rather than doctors. Their client, an anonymous Pennsylvania woman, claimed UnitedHealth reduced the “eligible expense” of charges from her counselor by 35 percent, even though there would have been no reduction for identical services had they been provided by a physician.

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Ross Todd

Ross Todd is the Editor/columnist for the Am Law Litigation Daily. He writes about litigation of all sorts. Previously, Ross was the Bureau Chief of The Recorder, ALM's California affiliate. Contact Ross at [email protected]. On Twitter: @Ross_Todd.