Finding a therapist who takes your insurance can be nearly impossible. Here's why

AUGUST 25, 2024 7:00 AM ET
HEARD ON WEEKEND EDITION SUNDAY

This story comes from ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive their biggest stories as soon as they’re published.

By Annie Waldman, Maya Miller, Max Blau, Duaa Eldeib

Although federal law requires insurers to provide the same access to mental and physical health care, these companies have been caught, time and again, shortchanging customers with mental illness — restricting coverage and delaying or denying treatment.

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“The way to look at mental health care from an insurance perspective is: I don’t want to attract those people. I am never going to make money on them,” said Ron Howrigon, a consultant who used to manage contracts with providers for major insurers. “One way to get rid of those people or not get them is to not have a great network.”

There are nowhere near enough available therapists in insurance networks to serve all of the people seeking care. And although almost all Americans are insured, about half of people with mental illness are unable to access treatment.

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ProPublica interviewed 44 providers who said they left networks after insurers questioned the necessity of care.

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