ÀÖ²©´«Ã½

Kennedy Forum, Third Horizon, American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, and Ballmer Group . They compared mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) provider in-network composition and outpatient reimbursement rates to physical health care providers to create a .

This analysis found striking and widespread disparity across the country. Researchers noted:

Patients in 7 of 10 counties face challenges finding in-network clinicians for mental health care and substance use disorder treatment compared to physical health clinicians … Across the four national commercial insurance plans assessed, clinicians who provide mental health care and substance use disorder treatment are paid between 16% and 59% difference than physical health clinicians nationwide. ()

This disparity discourages mental health providers from being in-network, making mental health care less accessible and more expensive for clients. In the state with the worst network composition parity index, Alaska, there was an 85.5 percent difference between MH/SUB providers in-network compared to physical health care providers.

Mental health parity is essential for equitable access to MH/SUB care and fair compensation for counselors. Join us in advocating for counselors and clients — support the today.

If you have any questions or would like to become more involved in ACA’s advocacy, contact us at advocacy@counseling.org.