CAN’T FIND A MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER?
Link to WCPO-Channel 9 Special Report
In 2007, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield/Wellpoint decided to cut
payments to mental health providers in Ohio, such as psychologists and
counselors and social workers, by 20%. As a result, it has become nearly
impossible to find a mental health provider willing to accept Anthem
insurance coverage.
Yet Anthem/Wellpoint reported profits of $3.3 billion in 2007, with
growth of over 15% expected in 2008. Remarkably, mental health claim
represents a minuscule fraction of Anthem’s overall health claims each
year.
This issue affects thousands of tri-state residents who seek to obtain
mental health care through their health insurance plan, only to find
that there are no providers accepting Anthem (or any other insurance).
If the provider will accept Anthem, there can be waits from 3 to 7
months for the initial appointment.
There is only one way to change this unacceptable restriction and
discrimination against people seeking treatment for their mental illness
or emotional disorders. We must SPEAK UP!!!
We encourage you to file a written complaint, with both Anthem (or other
managed care company) and the Ohio Department of Insurance.
We encourage you to file a written complaint, with both Anthem (or other managed
care company) and the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Follow this link to
download a sample complaint letter.
Send your complaint to:
Anthem/Wellpoint:
Greg Greenwood, PhD
Executive Director
Central Region Behavioral Health
Anthem BCBS/Wellpoint
4361 Irwin-Simpson Rd.
Mason, OH 45040
Greg.greenwood@anthem.com
Ohio Department of Insurance:
http://www.ohioinsurance.gov/forms/scripts/formsdownload.asp?formid=0
Advocacy Alert
The Advocacy Committee of NAMI Hamilton County continues to work on
gathering data to address patient access to mental health care through
Anthem and other managed care companies.
If you would like to help, or want to share your stories of
difficulty finding an Anthem provider, please email or call NAMI HC at
info@nami-hc.org or 513-458-6670.
Advocacy Committee News
Meetings are held the first Monday of each month, at
our offices on the 5th floor of Rookwood Tower.
Agenda items include:
- Preparing letter to
Hamilton County Commissioners regarding the new jail and treatment
opportunities
- Continued work with the
Psychiatric Emergency Services unit at University Hospital to expand
opportunities to serve as a community "hot-line" for at risk adult
mentally ill persons
- Advocacy for increased
use of diversion courts in Hamilton County
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