Tony Thrasher, DO, president of the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association and medical director of crisis services for Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, spoke with Becker’s about less-discussed problems in behavioral healthcare.
Note: Response has been edited lightly for clarity and brevity.
Question: What’s the biggest hindrance right now to your behavioral health organization’s growth or optimization?
Dr. Tony Thrasher: Parity in two arenas: payment and access. There is the long standing issue with mental health not being reimbursed on par with other medical conditions. We also don’t have parity on what type of mental health conditions are being accepted, seen or cared for by all entities.
In other words, many systems may be expanding access to mental health, but are they doing so for all mental health conditions? Or is it just low acuity stuff? The cases needing the most care — and that are most costly due to said acuity and complexity — are the ones least likely to be covered or given timely care.
