BE PART OF THE EFFORT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN RI
THE PROBLEM: Rhode Island health insurers pay mental health professionals 23.4% less than they do physical health providers. This disparity means many mental health professionals can not afford to join insurance networks. Mental health providers and agencies have documented that insurer reimbursement is often lower than the cost of delivering care, forcing some to close their doors. This
problem contributes to a lack of available providers for those of us seeking help.
ONE SOLUTION: There are bills before our Rhode Island General Assembly – House Bill 5546 and Senate Bill 591 -- that would require health insurers to increase what they pay to mental health professionals to bring payment for mental health services in line with physical health services.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Take action by speaking up! Follow the easy steps below to email your State Representative and State Senator and then submit your email as a letter to the editor of your local news outlet.