Here are the most-read behavioral health updates reported by Becker's in November:
- CMS finalized its Physician Fee Schedule for 2023, which includes four updates aimed at making behavioral health services more accessible to Medicare beneficiaries. Read the new policies here.
- The U.S. may face a shortage of 54,100 to 139,000 physicians by 2033, and access to care in every specialty, including mental health services, is a national issue. This list shows 10 states with the fewest practicing psychiatrists in relation to its population.
- Matt Peterson, president of Universal Health Services' behavioral health division, shared with Becker's why making mental health treatment more accessible to veterans is his top priority.
- Access to mental healthcare varies greatly state-by-state. Though 10 states were considered to be officially designated health professional shortage areas due to a lack of mental health providers, these 10 states have the highest number of practicing psychiatrists in relation to their populations.
- Data from the American Psychological Association found that 46 percent of psychologists reported being unable to meet the demand for treatment from patients in 2022. That is up from 41 percent in 2021 and 30 percent in 2020.
- Nationally, 3,755,000 children experienced depression in the last year. Here are the states with the highest rates of depression in children ages 12 to 17.
- Four mental healthcare experts joined Becker's to discuss what aspect of behavioral health should be at the forefront of the industry.
- CMS made five updates to its fee schedule for 2023 to make quality mental healthcare more accessible to those in traditionally underserved areas. Here is an overview of the updates.
- Behavioral health company owner Antonio Deon Fozard was sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.2 million in restitution to the North Carolina Fund for Medical Assistance for false reimbursement claims.
- Here are the average salaries of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric physician assistants nationwide.