Psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists often leave insurance networks because of red tape, low reimbursements and delayed payments, ProPublica reported Aug. 25.
The outlet spoke to more than 500 behavioral health providers about their decisions to leave insurance networks.
A report from the Research Triangle Institute published in April found patients were 3.5 times more likely to visit an out-of-network behavioral provider than for medical or surgical office visits in 2021.
The average reimbursement for medical and surgical clinician office visits was 21.7% higher than for all behavioral health clinicians in 2021, according to the Research Triangle Institute.
Here are the most commonly-citied reasons providers interviewed by ProPublica left one or more insurers' networks:
- More than 130 providers said they left networks because of low reimbursement rates.
- More than 100 providers said they left networks after encountering red tape to submit claims and receive payments.
- Around 60 providers said they left networks over delayed payments or clawbacks.
- 44 providers said they left networks after insurers questioned the necessity of patients' care.
Read ProPublica's full report here.