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Tragic, infuriating and, sadly, not surprising. Centene and other insurers need to pay well trained customer services professionals who understand the crazy US health insurance system and, more importantly, provide navigators for all patients seeking mental health care until they fix their ghost networks. I am familiar with conversations with overseas call center reps to whom terms like out-of-network, in-network, deductibles and copayments seem foreign, and likely not words taught when learning English as their second language. Additionally, I am baffled that Ravi found this insurance through healthcare.gov. Increasing access to health care like THIS is not what Americans should be paying for and subsidizing. Perhaps politicians need to stop celebrating the number of people covered if that coverage cannot save someone's life when needed. We can do better than this. Appreciate any leads on an organization where I can use my skills as a lawyer and someone who understands the ins and outs of mental health coverage laws. "Alone in his apartment with Finn, vodka within reach, Ravi felt guilty about calling his loved ones for help. Even though his mom and his friends would pick up the phone at just about any hour, Ravi hated the idea of bothering them. But he couldn’t resist after he hung up with Giovanni, the customer service rep. That afternoon, Feb. 22, he fired off a frustrated text message to his mom. “How is it this hard?!” Ravi seethed." https://lnkd.in/gi-PCB_Z NAMI Cover My Mental Health Mental Health America #mentalhealthishealth #healthcarereform

Exposing the Truth Behind "Ghost Networks" - A Must-Read ProPublica Article   Private Health Insurers have one priority: PROFITS. In their relentless pursuit of squeezing every penny, they’ve resorted to creating misleading "Ghost Networks"—lists of supposed in-network medical providers who, in reality, are often retired, out of practice, or no longer in-network.   Why does this happen? Because insurance payers make it so difficult for healthcare providers to get reimbursed that many simply give up and leave. The result is that patients, already facing the stress of seeking care, are left navigating a maze of inaccurate information and unavailable providers.   This is an intentional strategy to cut costs at the expense of the very people they claim to serve—patients and providers alike.   It's time to demand accountability and transparency from insurance payers. Read ProPublica's eye-opening article and join the fight for a fairer system that prioritizes patients over insurance payer profits. https://lnkd.in/eJy9MHfV

Many people find themselves in their health insurance company's "ghost network," leaving them without access to #MentalHealth care. Providers listed are often retired, deceased or not accepting new patients, highlighting a critical issue in our healthcare system. Full story: https://hubs.li/Q02PMkXG0 #HealthcareHere #AccessToCare

ProPublica recently launched America's Mental Barrier, an investigative series that examines the ways that insurers interfere with mental health care. I have two stories out in our series today. Both are about a hidden problem, commonly known as a "ghost network." It’s hard to know if your health insurance is as good as advertised. You pay to access a network of providers. But call the numbers in your provider directory, and you’re bound to find ones who can’t, or won’t see you. These errors are at the heart of a ghost network. Some providers have moved, retired or died; others left networks because of low pay and high scrutiny. Though they no longer take your insurance, their names may remain in your directory. When that happens, you’re left to believe your plan has more options than actually exist. Insurers’ failures to correct these errors have led to dire consequences for people seeking mental health care. Some people are more likely to pay out of network costs and face a greater chance of treatment delays — if they get treatment at all. The first story is about one person's perilous journey through a ghost network. Ravi Coutinho, a 36-year-old former college golfer, felt relieved when he signed up for an insurance plan right before moving to Phoenix last year. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, he had become reliant on a dangerous form of self-medication while living in Texas. Ravi wanted to save his business, fall in love again and even have a kid. He couldn’t do that when he was excessively drinking. Arizona offered a fresh start. For that to happen, he needed to find a new therapist that fit his needs for mental health and addiction treatment. Ravi’s Ambetter plan appeared to have a robust network of providers. When he started calling, he couldn’t find a therapist. Frustrating phone calls with customer service reps began to confirm what countless customers — and regulators — have discovered: Appearances can be deceiving. (ProPublica reached out to representatives with his insurer more than two-dozen times and sent a detail list of questions, but no one responded.) Here's a link to Ravi's story: https://lnkd.in/euwiagBV The second piece is a guide on how to get past provider directory errors in a ghost network, according to the advice that experts shared with ProPublica. If you or a loved one are struggling to find an in-network mental health provider, don’t be discouraged. There are ways to protect yourself from the trappings of a ghost network. Read our ghost network guide here: https://lnkd.in/eKYSpR_s Our team is still looking to hear from mental health providers, health insurance insiders and patients. Do you have a tip? Please fill out this form. https://lnkd.in/eagi5JPq

Here is everything that you need to know about Singlife Dementia Cover, a first-in-market insurance plan for cognitive decline and mental health conditions. https://lnkd.in/gA6mT56u #singlife #dementiacover #dementiasingapore #pzlsg

What do you pay for mental health access? Do you have options? Is it worth it? Do you even know? 💀 Read this tragic story, because we all need to be informed, for our own benefit. #eap #mentalhealth #ghostnetwork #healthcaremarketplace #apa #addiction #counseling #friends “This story was pieced together from more than 1,000 pages of Ravi’s medical records and insurance files; audio recordings of Ambetter customer service calls; police reports and photos; court filings from three states; reports from insurance regulators; Ravi’s texts, phone logs, social media messages and emails; and more than 25 hours of interviews with people who knew Ravi best. It was also guided by a lengthy chronology of key events that Barbara had compiled in the months after her son’s death. One thing she couldn’t bring herself to do: read the autopsy report. She asked her sister to summarize the findings, which ProPublica obtained and reviewed. Ravi’s death was ruled an accident, likely due to complications from excessive drinking. ProPublica sent a detailed account of Ravi’s attempts to get help to 12 legal, insurance and mental health experts. They independently identified a variety of problems, including Ambetter’s provider directory inaccuracies, its network inadequacy and its customer service shortcomings.” https://lnkd.in/g3scYmtU

🌟 Unlocking Access to Mental Health Care: 3 Benefits of Using Out-of-Network Health Insurance 🌟 1. Broader Provider Choices: Opting for out-of-network insurance allows you to access a wider range of mental health professionals. This means you can find your preferred therapist or counselor who aligns with your needs, specialties, rather than being limited to a narrow network. 2. Tailored Care: Out-of-network providers often have more flexibility in their treatment approaches and can offer personalized care that may not be available within your insurance network. This can lead to more effective therapy and a better overall experience. 3. Broader Expert Access: Opting for out-of-network insurance allows you to access a wider range of mental health experts from Child and Adolescent Therapists, Trauma Therapists, Applied Behavioral Therapists, Marriage & Family Therapists and more. Offers a greater chance with progress and achievement of goals for therapy. 💬 Remember, your mental health is a priority! Consider exploring out-of-network options for the best care tailored just for you. #MentalHealthMatters #OutOfNetworkBenefits #SelfCareJourney

In today's fast-paced world, a compassionate, personalized EAP like Best Care EAP is more crucial than ever for employers. Imagine the added stress of navigating complex insurance networks to find a provider. With Best Care EAP, employees and their families can access immediate mental health support, offering a much-needed lifeline during challenging times.

💥 Who’s really in control of your mental health care? 💥 Insurance might make therapy look easier on the surface, but it comes with hidden strings—labels you don’t need, limits on your care, and risks to your privacy. If you’re ready to own your path and take control of your healing, it’s time to do things differently. This post breaks down the facts about using insurance and why freedom, autonomy, and privacy matter. Whether you’re military, a first responder, or someone just looking for space to grow—you deserve care without limits. 👉 Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gEFGfnbs 🔓 No labels. No limits. Just real control. #OwnYourPath #BreakFree #TakeControl #ConfidentialCare #FirstResponderSupport #MilitaryMentalHealth #SelfGuidedHealing #FreedomToHeal #AutonomyInTherapy #MentalWellness #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyWorks #EmpowermentJourney #PTSDRecovery #StrongerSelf #ResilienceInAction #MentalHealthConfidential #HealingWithoutLimits #NoLimits #InnerStrength #EmbraceGrowth #SelfEmpowerment #MentalHealthAdvocate #CourageToHeal #AnxietySupport #TraumaInformed #TherapyIsForEveryone #ConfidentialCare #StrongerTogether #OwnYourHealing

Found this article while doing research for a homework assignment. It is deeply upsetting. Centene is one of the top five major insurance providers in the US. Yet, the "ghost networks" for mental healthcare provided by Ambetter (whose parent company is Centene) made it such that most of the mental health providers on their list did not provide mental health services, if they were still even alive and still even practicing. The ghost networks for one insurance user, were inconvenient, then frustrating, then awful, and finally horrific. I just don't understand how one organization can get all that money and still have nothing to provide to those who they serve who are in deep need. I have no idea why Ambetter is still even continuing as a company today. trigger warning for: suicidality, alcohol abuse, vivid descriptions of illness and death, depression, anxiety. https://lnkd.in/eJxU_A3p