A group of Oregon naturopathic doctors and their patients have filed a class action lawsuit in federal court against Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, alleging that the insurer arbitrarily denies payment for primary care services provided by naturopaths. At least five patients have hired a law firm to appeal denials by Health Net on medical services provided by naturopaths, according to the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians. In one case, Eileen Fox-Quamme received her well-woman exam from her naturopathic doctor, and she has had to exhaust the insurance company's grievance processes and finally file an appeal through a law firm.
