Private insurance coverage for the treatment of mental illness versus general medical care: A policy of inequity |
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| Institution: | 1. The Carter Center Mental Health Program, One Coppenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA;2. 25 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Suite 500, Washington, DC 2001, USA;1. Bio-Behavioral Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina (UCA), Psychology School, Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. Bio-Behavioral Institute, Great Neck, NY, USA;3. Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA;1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women''s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts;2. Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts;3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts;1. Rubber Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India;2. School of Nanoscience and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India;2. University of Mississippi Medical Center, Interventional Radiology Section, Jackson, MS |
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| Abstract: | Private insurance coverage has historically been and continues to be discriminatory toward patients requiring treatment for mental illness and substance abuse disorders in comparison with those in need of general medical care. Factors contributing to this disparity include stigma, relatively low overt consumer demand for psychiatric care, lack of knowledge about psychiatric illness and treatment on the part of insurers, a historical reliance on public sector psychiatry, and the assumption that more liberal psychiatric benefits result in unnecessary and excessive use. Strategies aimed at eliminating discriminatory insurance practices against those in need of mental health care must be implemented. Recommended approaches include further research on the cost effectiveness of mental health care, public education regarding the nature of mental illness and its treatment, patient/family advocacy, and the marketing of services by mental health professionals. |
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