Over 500 psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists share their experiences with ProPublica about joining health insurance networks to help those unable to afford treatment. However, insurers have been caught shortchanging customers with mental illness, restricting coverage and denying treatment because these patients are considered bad for business. Insurers often decide who can receive treatment, what kind, and for how long, leading to devastating consequences. Therapists feel pressured to reduce care, face delays in reimbursements, and struggle to stay in business with stagnant and low reimbursement rates. Despite efforts to stick it out, many providers decided to leave the network due to interference with patient care, financial unsustainability, and issues with reimbursement.
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/08/24/nx-s1-5028551/insurance-therapy-therapist-mental-health-coverage