Senate hearing examines health plan barriers to behavioral health access

The Senate Finance Committee today held a hearing on removing barriers to mental health care, with a focus on improving provider directory accuracy.

Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a study by the committee's majority staff in which secret shoppers were able to get an appointment for depression using provider directories for 12 Medicare Advantage plans only 18% of the time.  

“Today, Medicare performs regular audits of plans offering coverage to seniors to ensure they meet minimum standards,” Wyden said. “However, CMS does not regularly audit Medicare Advantage provider directories, and the results speak for themselves. It’s time for that to change.”

Testifying at the hearing were Robert Trestman, M.D., professor and chair of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; Jack Resneck, Jr., M.D., president of the American Medical Association; Jeff Rideout, M.D., president and CEO of the Integrated Health Care Association; and representatives from several patient advocacy groups. Trestman, who serves on the AHA’s Behavioral Health Committee, testified on behalf of the American Psychiatric Association.