In a recent study conducted by RTI International, it was found that patients were significantly more likely to go out-of-network for behavioral health clinician visits in 2021. Specifically, they were 3.5 times more likely to choose an out-of-network provider for behavioral health services compared to medical/surgical clinicians. The study also revealed that reimbursement rates for in-network office visits to behavioral clinicians were lower than those of medical/surgical clinicians, which may have created disincentives for behavioral health providers to participate in-network.
The authors of the study recommended that health plans and states consider increasing reimbursement rates to attract more behavioral health providers to their networks. They also suggested evaluating reimbursement disparities to address parity violations, as narrower networks can limit access to behavioral health services and increase financial burdens on patients.
The findings of this study underscore the importance of improving access to mental health care by addressing reimbursement discrepancies and expanding network options for patients seeking behavioral health services. It is crucial that healthcare providers prioritize addressing these issues in order to ensure that patients receive the care they need without facing financial barriers or limited access to quality care.