AHIP Statement for Hearing on “Barriers to Mental Health Care: Improving Provider Directory Accuracy to Reduce the Prevalence of Ghost Networks”
Senate Committee on Finance | May 16, 2023
Every American deserves access to effective, affordable, and equitable mental health support and counseling. Health insurance providers are committed to lowering barriers to care for mental health and substance abuse disorders (SUD). That commitment includes ensuring provider networks of mental health professionals are as robust as possible.
As the national association whose members provide health care coverage, services, and solutions to hundreds of millions of Americans every day, our member plans work consistently with care professionals, and government agencies to make certain that provider directories are up-to-date and accurate as possible, so patients can get the mental health care services, care, and support they need at a price they can afford.
AHIP appreciates the Committee’s focus on these important issues. Maintaining accurate provider directories is a shared responsibility that requires a joint commitment from health plans and providers to ensure patients have the information they need, and that the information is updated in a timely and accurate fashion. We look forward to working with providers and policymakers to address the current provider directory challenges, particularly for patients seeking mental health support.