f )
Action Area : Insurance and Financial Concerns
Finances and / or the perceived cost of care is the most commonly identified reason why people with behavioral health needs do not seek services . 17
The cost of services or lack of insurance were frequently cited as inhibiting access to care . Many interviewees commented that the number of individuals and families in lower socioeconomic classes either don ’ t have insurance or the financial means to receive behavioral health care or services to address substance misuse . Regardless of income bracket , many research participants indicated that behavioral health care can be very expensive – especially if the care requires time away from work ( i . e ., a loss of income ). 18 They indicate that financial impact and care alternatives can be overwhelming when entering the behavioral healthcare system . Clear sources of insurance and other support would positively impact the financial literacy aspect of care .
• “ Funders are very specific in who they give money to and for what , and in these cases they succeed . When you don ' t meet criteria for a specialize program and you ' re thrown in with the general population , treatment fails .”
• “ So many decisions are driven on Medicaid and funders that you get lost in the money and don ’ t see the people .”
• “ Private practitioners and agencies don ' t speak the same language – funding is different , billing and coding are different . Private practices can ' t afford to treat patients with Medicare and Medicaid because they need someone with different billing expertise ; software is different , and it takes more time . Billing practices drive what practitioners do .”
• “ Getting care without insurance is impossible or else it ’ s $ 700-800 / month .”
• “ Talk about cost with awareness – impression is that behavioral health care isn ' t affordable .” Examples of Potential Interventions for Stage 3
• Expand Community Health Worker certification and training . Certification requires a high level of knowledge about local care and support resources , including financial resources .
• Develop a single source of financial literacy and supporting information for people considering behavioral health care . A printable and / or online resource available at all intervention points , combined with case management ( where needed ) may be able to help address initial finance-related concerns .
• Expand cost-reduced or free crisis services .
• Indirectly , economic development and job training activities will tend to improve behavioral health financial concerns by improving community-based financial security – correlated with lower demand for behavioral health care .
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