Misled and Denied: A Mental Health System Failure

Ravi Coutinho, a 36-year-old Arizona entrepreneur, died in 2023 after struggling to find the mental health treatment he urgently needed. Despite having insurance through Ambetter—a plan under Centene, one of the largest health companies in the U.S.—Ravi couldn’t find a therapist who actually accepted his coverage. He made 21 calls to his insurer, trying to access in-network care. None worked. He was found dead in his apartment, his death ruled an accident related to alcohol use.

His mother is now suing Centene, saying her son was misled by a “ghost network”—a directory of supposedly available mental health providers who, in reality, didn’t take his insurance or weren’t accepting new patients. Ravi believed help was there, but it wasn’t. The lawsuit claims this misinformation violated both federal and state laws that require insurers to keep provider lists accurate.

The case, backed by a detailed ProPublica investigation, shows how Ravi—and many others—fall through the cracks. Insurers like Centene have been previously warned about these issues but continued to publish misleading information. Regulators didn’t fine them, and the company never responded to questions from journalists.

For men who struggle in silence with mental health issues, this story is a tragic reminder of how broken the system can be. Even when you do everything right—get insurance, make calls, ask for help—you might still get lost in bureaucracy.

The lawsuit, filed by Ravi’s mother, aims to hold Centene accountable for negligence and fraud. Her attorney says the case is about more than one man—it’s about a system that fails people when they’re most vulnerable.

If you're struggling, don’t give up. Share your story, seek support, and push for real change. You’re not alone—and this system must do better.

Blau, M. (2025, June 2). He died without getting mental health care he sought. A new lawsuit says his insurer’s ghost network is to blame. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/centene-ghost-network-lawsuit-ambetter-ravi-coutinho