According to a new study, employees are often forced to use out-of-network care for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Among the findings:
- 42% of employees say their company’s health plan doesn’t include any mental health or substance abuse programs.
- 47% say that their employer’s plan offers both support and services.
- 11% of employees say they have no idea what mental health benefits are available to them.
- Substance abuse treatment, according to the report, was 1,000% more likely to be offered as an out-of-network benefit than primary or surgical care.
Unfortunately, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers often are discouraged from joining in-network health plans, mostly because insurance companies pay a much lower reimbursement for these services than for primary care treatment.
