What timing for releasing the news over the holidays when fewer are paying attention to the news. This industry repeatedly shafts customers because they know they can get away with almost anything. It was easy enough to kick around the Democrats (and kill the public option) but with the GOP coming into Washington, life is getting even better.

Ms. Hatcher said an increase in health costs forced the company to eliminate its mental health coverage for individual plans. Premiums would have increased by 10 percent, on top of the 9.9 percent that is already expected for next year, if it maintained its behavioral care. The company was afraid its members would not be able to afford medical coverage.

“We want to serve these people,” Ms. Hatcher said, “but we want to provide them with a coverage that they can afford.”

For Ms. Bandics, the fact that Capital Blue Cross chose to leave mental patients uncovered heightens the disparity between the treatment of physical and psychological conditions.