Study finds access to psych services is still limited

Despite a recent movement to increase primary care physicians’ ability to identify mental health problems in their patients, many may still struggle to get their patients access to psychiatric care, according to a study published online earlier this week by Psychiatric Services. For the study, researchers posed as patients willing to pay out-of-pocket, or as patients carrying Blue Cross Blue Shield preferred provider organization insurance, or Medicare. The simulated patients made telephone calls to 120 psychiatrists in the Boston, Chicago and Houston metropolitan areas.

The simulated patients were able to obtain appointments with only 93 of 360 psychiatrists called, or 26%. Noting that mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States, study authors concluded that more must be done to increase access to psychiatric care, coordinate primary and mental healthcare and improve insurance reimbursements for psychiatry.

Source: FiercePracticeManagement