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April 19, 2007
Bill aims for mental health parity in Medicare
Imagine your grandmother who’s suffered multiple losses standing at the receptionist window trying to understand why her co-pay is higher for treatment of her depression or other mental illness.
AMA article discussing a bill that would reduce co-payment for Medicare beneficiaries seeking mental health treatment.
Insight Psychiatry
www.insight-psychiatry.com
13123 Rosedale Hill Ave.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-3810
April 10, 2007
Managed care vs. Hippocratic Oath?
Health insurance premiums are rising, reimbursements to physicians are decreasing, and yet insurance companies are thriving. But, that’s business and not the central issue when a patient is not given the respect, and compassion due to anyone who comes before a physician seeking help.
Most state medical boards stress the importance of the patient-physician relationship, some emphasizing that it is “unethical for a physician to allow financial incentives or contractual ties of any kind to adversely affect his or her patient care” (www.ncmedboard.org) This creates an inherent conflict, as most physicians are still playing by the rules set forth by insurance companies. Physicians recognizing the primacy of patient autonomy, and the sacredness of the doctor-patient relationship based on mutual trust, quite frankly, are in a quandary.
Physicians are not taught how to run a business, this is true. But more importantly, most are not willing to buck the system and just say “no” to managed care, or become politically active. They all know that 8 minutes is not enough time for an office visit. It shouldn’t matter whether it takes 12 years to complete medical training, or that professional liability insurance costs are rising.
I would like to see physicians take less time explaining “why”, and instead channel their embitterment in a positive way. For some to be true to their calling, means taking financial risks by opting out of managed care plans or insurance firms that constrain patient care. How can this be wrong when medical boards have clearly stated any delivery of care decision that has been negatively affected by a physician’s contractual ties constitutes unethical behavior?
Insight Psychiatry
www.insight-psychiatry.com
13123 Rosedale Hill Ave.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-3810
April 9, 2007
What’s up with mental health “parity”?
If you are one of millions being treated for a mental illness, you may have noticed different co-pays, deductibles and treatment limitations apply when you are ready to settle the bill, as compared to out-of-pocket costs for any other medical condition. “Parity” refers to equivalent value as it pertains to insurance coverage for mental illness vs. other medical diagnoses. Physicians, other mental health professionals, some politicians and consumers alike have been hopeful legislation would end discrimination against people seeking help for mental illness. Federal mental health parity mandates would in all likelihood have other implications such as reducing the stigma of a mental illness diagnosis, which could in turn, encourage more people to ask for help when needed.
Senate Committee Approves Comprehensive Mental Health Parity Bill
Insight Psychiatry
Robin Stone, M.D.
13123 Rosedale Hill Ave.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-3810
April 8, 2007
Depression affects 19 million Americans
Depression does not discriminate. The video titled "The State of Depression in America" features Mike Wallace and gives a fair overview of barriers to treatment, both economic and sociologic. The white paper discusses mental health parity, an informative article for both doctors and patients.
Link to "The State of Depression in America" featuring Mike Wallace.
Insight Psychiatry
13123 Rosedale Hill Ave.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-3810
