Mental Health & Autism Health Project

Our Story and Mission

The Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project was born out of a need for families to access medically necessary treatments for their children with autism spectrum disorders. Our mission is to assist families, providers, and facilities in obtaining these treatments through their health plans. We strive to create a world where everyone receives the healthcare services they need without a fight.

Services Offered

We provide a range of services including fielding questions from the public, offering seminars, educating legislators and regulators, and direct services to assist families with obtaining single case agreements, writing appeals, and requesting regulatory intervention. We also help providers and facilities with pre and ongoing authorizations, appeal writing, billing, and collecting unpaid claims.

Background and History

Our founder, Karen Fessel, has a Doctorate in Public Health and has worked in various health settings. She sought to maximize her health insurance benefits for her son, who was diagnosed with Asperger's. With the diagnosis, Karen was able to secure regional center support and health insurance protection under the California Mental Health Parity law.

What We Do

We help families, providers, and facilities secure health insurance coverage for interventions associated with autistic spectrum disorders and mental health conditions. We handle pre- and ongoing authorizations, file and follow up on claims, write appeals, and file requests for external reviews.

Supporting Our Cause

You can donate to our organization through payroll deductions, the corporate employer-matching site Benevity, or the PayPal Giving Fund. Additionally, you can shop on Amazon.com and select our organization to receive a percentage of the purchase price. Your donation helps fund our sliding scale program, educational seminars, and free advice for families in need.

Donate and Make a Difference

Your contribution will help families secure the services they need, ensuring that individuals with autism and mental health conditions receive the care they deserve. Every donation counts and makes a significant difference in our mission to create a world where everyone gets the healthcare services they need.