Holding insurers accountable for mental health coverage.

Psych-Appeal is the first private law firm in the United States dedicated exclusively to mental health insurance advocacy — for institutions, providers, and the patients they serve.

Landmark Outcome

Wit v. United Behavioral Health — a federal court found one of the nation's largest health insurers to have breached its ERISA fiduciary duties of loyalty and care in developing medical necessity guidelines.

Our work has been covered by
The New York Times Forbes NPR CNN Financial Times Bloomberg CBS Law360 Los Angeles Times
Who We Serve

Advocacy and counsel across the system.

Our work spans policy and legislation, administrative appeals, and litigation — advising the institutions that shape mental health coverage, partnering with the providers who deliver care, and standing up for the patients who depend on it.

Lead practice · Consulting

Institutional Stakeholders

Employers and self-funded health plans, nonprofit associations, advocates, and policymakers turn to us for counsel on mental health parity, coverage standards, and the design of guidelines that withstand scrutiny. We help shape the rules — and bring practices into compliance.

Consult with us →

Healthcare Providers

Clinicians and treatment facilities turn to us to challenge denials, recover reimbursement, and hold insurers to their parity obligations.

Work with us →

Patients & Families

When an insurer denies or limits mental health or substance use treatment, we help patients understand their rights and pursue the coverage they're owed.

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Proven Impact

Cases and laws that changed the landscape.

In less than a decade, our work has drawn international attention and reshaped how mental health coverage is enforced across the country.

Landmark Litigation

Wit v. United Behavioral Health

One of the highest-profile mental health parity cases in the U.S. A federal court found one of the nation's largest health insurers to have breached its ERISA fiduciary duties of loyalty and care by prioritizing its own bottom line over plan members in developing medical necessity guidelines.

Read the case →
Legislation Authored

California SB 855

We authored cutting-edge legislation that strengthened mental health coverage protections — now serving as a model for reform nationwide.

Learn more →
Our Mission
To overcome insurer denials of the mental health care that patients, clinicians, and the institutions serving them depend on.
About the Firm

A nationally recognized leader in mental health parity.

Working alongside a national network of law firms, Psych-Appeal protects clients' interests at every stage — from internal appeals to landmark litigation to the institutional counsel that shapes coverage policy.

Meet our founder →

Founder

Meiram Bendat
Attorney & Founder
Get in Touch

Tell us about your situation.

Whether you're an institution, a provider, or a patient, reach out and we'll help you understand the path forward. The best way to reach us is by email.

[email protected]
Psych-Appeal, Inc.
7 West Figueroa Street, Suite 300
PMB #300059
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tel: (310) 598-3690
Fax: (888) 975-1957