Insured Americans faced broad access gaps for mental health and substance-use care compared with physical health services, according to an index covering major commercial plans.
Across 43 states, enrollees in the four largest commercial insurers' plans experienced potential disparities in finding in-network mental health and substance-use treatment.
Locally, 7 in 10 counties showed similar issues, potentially making it harder for patients to find nearby in-network mental health or substance-use care.
All states showed payment disparities. Mental health and substance-use clinicians were paid differently from physical health clinicians, with gaps ranging from ~16% to ~59%.
The four national plans also showed in-network access gaps, with physical health clinician availability differing by ~24% to ~83% versus mental health care.
The index said addressing access and pay gaps could tackle a major care challenge, while also highlighting insurer best practices worth sharing more widely.
