More than 80% of mental health provider listings in insurers' directories in New York State are incorrect, according to a report from the New York attorney general's office.
A secret shopper study conducted by the attorney general's office called 396 providers listed in the directories of 13 health plans, according to a Dec. 7 news release. Of the 396 providers, just 56 offered callers appointments. The others were not reachable, not in-network with the insurer, or were not accepting new patients.
“No one who reaches out to mental health professionals listed by their insurance company should be told that the providers are unreachable, not accepting their insurance, or not accepting new patients," said Attorney General Letitia James. "Our state is facing a mental health crisis, and this report clearly shows that insurance companies are failing to help New Yorkers in need."
In the report, the attorney general recommended state agencies frequently monitor health plans' networks, conduct secret shopper studies, and up penalties on plans that violate network access standards.
Other officials have expressed concerns with inaccurate "ghost" provider networks. In October, a bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation to toughen network accuracy requirements for Medicare Advantage plans.