We are Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in private practice and clinic settings.
The challenges of getting and providing mental health care have become increasing difficult and complicated while the need is higher than ever.
Patients change jobs, have gaps in coverage, and end up on different insurance plans, or employers may change plans.
It’s impossible to keep the plans straight anymore. There are the commercial plans, the MassHealthMCO or ACO’s, and Connector plans. They change names, have carve outs, co-pays, co-insurance, high deductibles, and may or may not have out of network benefits. There are different portals for billing and claims tracking. Mental Health providers who continue accepting insurance have higher expenses and less time due to this complicated process.
The extra time, work, stress, and cost of these aspects have led to some therapists, MDs, and NPs to go off insurance panels and accept only direct payment instead. This places more financial burden on patients who need mental health care, and leaves out those who cannot afford care. Other providers have gotten tired of all this and retired.
If we had Medicare for All, so much more provider time would be available to provide the much-needed care to folks in our community. Patients would get calls back and appointments instead of calling numerous providers to ask if they have openings and if they take their insurance.
We strongly encourage readers to vote yes on Question 5 for “An Act Establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts” if it is on your local ballot on Nov. 8 to let your legislators know that Massachusetts residents need equitable mental and medical health care for everyone.
Sandra Thomaier NP
Shelburne Falls
Paula Moore CNS
Shutesbury
Gloria White CNS
Greenfield