BUFFALO, N.Y. — Mental health crises are on the rise and getting in touch with health care providers and insurance companies is becoming increasingly difficult.
On Thursday, December 7, New York State Attorney General Letitia James released a report on health insurance companies' failures to provide mental health care.
A survey of 400 mental health providers in the health plan's network found that 86% were either unavailable or not accepting new patients, the statement said.
Attorney General James said, “Anyone who contacts a mental health professional listed by an insurance company may find that the professional is unavailable, not accepting insurance, or not accepting new patients. We shouldn't be told that there isn't,” he said.
Among the recommendations issued by the Attorney General's Office are that the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Financial Services should actively and frequently monitor health insurance networks.
OAG also examines whether network providers are delivering care, whether they are required to meet cultural competency and language access standards, and whether they have plans to attract and retain more mental health providers. It also recommends creating a health care plan that collects and reports information about the disease.
United Healthcare and Attorney General James have agreed to pay $14.3 million in restitution to consumers who were wrongfully denied health insurance.
Denise Amato, who has been affected by a mental health crisis, spoke about how frustrating it was to receive care for her son.
“As the parent of a teenage boy in mental health crisis, I can't begin to express the frustration and even anger I've had trying to find a health care provider who would see him in a timely manner and accept my health insurance. No,” Amato said.
