In California, Senate Bill 221 was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom after passing both houses of the Legislature in a nearly unanimous vote. This is a landmark bill for the state as it requires that mental health and substance abuse patients be offered return appointments no more than 10 days after a previous session. Six other states, including Colorado, Maryland, and Texas, have similar legislation that limits waiting times. 

Current insurance regulations already require that patients are given an initial mental health visit no more than 10 days after they request it. This new bill specifically addresses the gap that exists with follow-up care and will go into effect in July 2022. This will afford health plans the time to comply. 

When it comes to an explanation as to why it is so hard to get consistent mental health care, there are several explanations. 

The number of people with symptoms of depression and anxiety has nearly quadrupled during the pandemic, which has stretched an already strained mental health system thin. The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the workforce shortage that exists in this industry. 

As a result, one solution would be to hire more therapists. Seems simple enough, however, poor pay and working conditions are said to be driving this workforce shortage. Insurance companies are blamed for not attracting therapists into their networks because they are not paying well enough. This is driving therapists to set their own fees outside of a health care network and many people cannot afford the rates. Another negative repercussion is that young people are not entering the mental health care profession due to poor pay and working conditions.  

Regardless of what it is going to take for insurance companies to comply with this new law, it gives those who are in desperate need of consistent care hope.

 

Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics

Our Modesto, CA ketamine clinic offers ketamine infusions for a variety of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. Our first priority is the emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of our patients. We will help point you in the direction of health and wellness, whatever direction that may be.