Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2015
Publication Title
Utah Law Review
Abstract
In May 2013, the American Psychiatric Association released the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ("DSM-5"). Among other changes, the DSM-5 includes new entries for hoarding disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder as well as a reclassified entry for gambling disorder. Using these changes as examples, this Article examines the implications of the DSM-5 for key issues in health law, including health insurance coverage, public and private disability benefit eligibility, and disability discrimination protection. As a descriptive matter, this Article illustrates how the addition of new disorders and the reclassification of existing disorders in the DSM-5 can significantly impact health insurance coverage and has some relevance to disability benefit eligibility and disability discrimination protection. From a normative perspective, this Article offers guidelines designed to prevent attorneys, judges, and other nonclinicians from abusing the DSM-5 in civil and administrative health law proceedings.
Volume
2015
First Page
767
Recommended Citation
Stacey A. Tovino, The DSM-5: Implications for Health Law, 2015 Utah L. Rev. 767 (2015).