A recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that nearly half (43%) of insured adults who rated their mental health as “fair” or “poor” were unable to receive necessary mental health services or medication in the past year. Amid a shortage of mental health professionals, many patients are struggling to find mental health care services. Insurance issues, such as lack of coverage and availability, may exacerbate the problem, KFF found.
One in 5 survey respondents with “fair” or “poor” mental health said there was a time in the past year when their insurance didn’t cover a therapist or mental health treatment. Additionally, a large percentage of insured adults with “fair” or “poor” mental health gave their insurance plan negative ratings for the availability (45%) and the quality (37%) of mental health therapists under their plan.
Respondents listed numerous barriers to receiving needed mental health treatment or medication, such as the following:
Employers are crucial in ensuring employees get the mental health care they need. Organizations that encourage workers to
take time off, fund and support employee assistance programs (EAPs) and encourage workers to prioritize mental health throughout
the workday may see numerous benefits in the form of happier and more productive employees.
This Blog Post is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
Ask CEO & Founder Tony Maffeo