Kaiser agrees to reform policies to improve access to mental health and SUD care

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Kaiser implements the agreed reforms: reduce appointment wait times, improve care review processes to ensure medically necessary care, and monitor network adequacy for appropriate mental health and SUD providers and facilities.

Source summary

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration reached a settlement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. after investigations found Kaiser’s inadequate provider networks and improper use of patient questionnaire responses limited access to in-network mental health and substance use disorder care. Kaiser will pay at least $28,323,219 to reimburse members’ out-of-network costs and a $2,832,321 federal penalty, and has agreed to policy reforms to reduce wait times, improve care review, and monitor network adequacy. Notices have been sent to potentially eligible California members who participated in the plan after Jan. 1, 2021, and a claims website and phone number are available.

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Latest fact check

The U.S. Department of Labor’s February 10, 2026 press release says Kaiser Foundation Health Plan agreed, as part of a settlement, to reform policies and practices to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder care, explicitly including steps to reduce appointment wait times, improve care review processes to ensure members receive medically necessary care, and monitor network adequacy. Reuters and Bloomberg Law reporting corroborate the Department of Labor statement and repeat those specific reform commitments. Verdict: True — the Department of Labor’s official announcement and multiple reputable news reports confirm Kaiser agreed to the listed reforms as part of the settlement.

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Timeline

Update · Feb 11, 2026, 06:10 AMTrue
The U.S. Department of Labor’s February 10, 2026 press release says Kaiser Foundation Health Plan agreed, as part of a settlement, to reform policies and practices to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder care, explicitly including steps to reduce appointment wait times, improve care review processes to ensure members receive medically necessary care, and monitor network adequacy. Reuters and Bloomberg Law reporting corroborate the Department of Labor statement and repeat those specific reform commitments. Verdict: True — the Department of Labor’s official announcement and multiple reputable news reports confirm Kaiser agreed to the listed reforms as part of the settlement.
Original article · Feb 10, 2026
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