| ripples many attempts for improving care. BHM offers a network covering the sub-specialties your organization needs to grow. 6 of the top 10 largest health plans entrust BHM for behavioral health peer reviews. CLICK HERE to learn more about how BHM helps your organization curb behavioral health costs. |
Payers and providers spend significant energy recruiting and retaining all levels of behavioral health professionals. The access to psychiatrists acts as the ‘canary in a coal mine’ signalling the impending challenges. Lacking mental health expertise hits organizations at a time of increasing use spurred on by value-based care.
Bruce Japsen , contributor for Forbes, reports psychiatrists are now the second most highly recruited physicians after family physicians, according to the 2017 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives. The report, released Monday by physician staffing firm Merritt Hawkins, tracking more than 3,200 physician and advanced practitioner recruiting assignments the firm conducted from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
Furthermore, the report indicates Merritt Hawkins conducted “more searches for psychiatrists in the last year than it has in any previous 12 months in the firm’s 30-year history,” Merritt Hawkins report said. Other firms report similar problems.
“Psychiatry’s probably the one specialty we worry about in the next two to three years for sure,” Merritt Hawkins’ senior vice president, Travis Singleton said.
“Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, more Americans are now insured and are seeking treatment,” says Dr. Atul Grover, executive vice president of the Association of American Medical Colleges. “Mental health parity laws have resulted in better behavioral health coverage than there was 20 years ago. In addition, demand is higher because there is greater awareness of, and willingness to talk about, mental health issues.”
$201 billion
This coincides with a study in the May, 2016 issue of Health Affairs indicating that for the first time more money is spent treating mental health disorders in the U.S. than any other malady, including heart disease, trauma, and cancer. In the study, mental disorders topped the list of most costly conditions, with spending at $201 billion.
Some argue the psychiatry shortage could get even worse as insurance payment shifts to value-based care from fee-for-service medicine. The value-based approach encourages patients to get more care up front where it’s less expensive, with reimbursement based on quality and better outcomes.
Lacking Mental Health Expertise Spiral Out Of Control
In addition, a March 2017 report from the National Council of Behavioral Health (NCBH) indicates that a national shortage of psychiatrists is about to spiral out of control, with 77% of U.S. counties reporting a severe psychiatrist shortage.
“As accountable care organizations and managed care organizations seek solutions that meet the Triple Aim of improving care, improving health outcomes and reducing cost, they will increasingly turn to psychiatrists for their help and guidance,” the council’s report said. “The lack of an adequately trained workforce, however, poses a serious challenge in meeting this demand.”
ripples many attempts for improving care. BHM offers a network covering the sub-specialties your organization needs to grow. 6 of the top 10 largest health plans entrust BHM for behavioral health peer reviews. CLICK HERE to learn more about how BHM helps your organization curb behavioral health costs.
