Medicare Advantage Limited Mental Health Network

[somarco]

People with private Medicare coverage may not be getting the mental health services they need because they cannot find a psychiatrist within their plan’s network, according to a new study.

More than half of the counties the researchers studied did not have a single psychiatrist participating in a Medicare Advantage plan, the private-sector counterpart to traditional Medicare. Some 30 million people, just over half of all participants in the federal program, are enrolled in these private plans.

[EXTERNAL LINK] - Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Few Psychiatrists

 

[Fisher]

Honestly, this is old news for most brokers that offer both Medicare choices to a client/prospect. On the flip side, I've had a number of Plan G clients who still have to cash-pay their psych doctor.

 

[somarco]

Honestly, this is old news for most brokers that offer both Medicare choices to a client/prospect. On the flip side, I've had a number of Plan G clients who still have to cash-pay their psych doctor.

Then don't read it.

Roughly 60% of mental health professional accept Medicare. Less than 10% of gynecologists take Medicare (of any form). Less than 20% of dentists accept dental insurance assignment.

 

[Fisher]

Four out of five dentists surveyed recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.

What game are we playing here?