Know about the cost and accessibility of mental health care in America

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As the world continues to go through the pandemic causing havoc upon the world economy, people have been experiencing stress and anxiety more than ever. According to the US Census Bureau, 42% of the adults in the states are reporting symptoms, 11% higher than the previous years.

As America continues to face adverse and challenging conditions, it takes a toll on the nation's mental and physical well-being. This pressure gives additional urgency to several long-standing concerns, such as the expense of healthcare and its accessibility. Here is everything you need to know.

Mental health care expenses

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According to a report by NAMI, nearly 20% of Americans have some mental health concerns. Billions are spent on treatments such as therapy, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and psychiatric stay-in each year.

And seeking treatment can be excessively expensive - much more so than paying for physical health care. According to the therapist directory GoodTherapy.org, an hour-long typical therapy consultation can cost anywhere from $ 65 to $ 250 for individuals without insurance. A more serious diagnosis comes with even higher long-term costs.

Limited accessibility to mental healthcare

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Over the years, access to mental health care has improved, but it still is a significant concern for people. The limited behavioral healthcare coverage was barred from being restrictive due to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (2008).

Such regulatory updates have improved accessibility to behavioral treatments, but there are numerous other issues to improve on.

For example, mental health and substance abuse treatment institutes and clinics are only available in urban regions. Similar to the restrictions in physical healthcare, rural areas of the country often lack access to more specialized treatment options.

According to NIMHD, less than half of Americans get access to proper treatment for mental well-being. And the numbers fall even more if you concentrate on minority races that get effective behavioral therapies.

Solutions

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Increasing collaboration and training between primary healthcare professionals and mental healthcare providers seem to be practical ways to tackle the mental healthcare issues in America.

Another dynamic change is the use and growth of telehealth and teletherapy in the face of the pandemic, which is beneficial in treating various mental health disorders. Online counseling services and chatbots can cost less than traditional therapy; hence can be viable options for many individuals.

Another area that needs to be changed is Medicare. It has inadequate coverage options for mental health and substance abuse care. Furthermore, research suggests that Medicare does not have an extensive network of mental health professionals, with around 23% of psychiatrists in the United States covered.

If changes are introduced in Medicare, it might have a ripple effect throughout the insurance business, improving coverage for its users. As a government program, Medicare frequently serves as a benchmark that can prompt private insurers to be more inclusive of behavioral illnesses.

Conclusion

While we hope for more legislative and regulatory changes that will help promote mental health care and its accessibility, we cannot ignore the shortcomings of today's mental health services that cause numerous difficulties for patients. Visit our site to read more articles related to this.