Dive Brief:
- On Tuesday, Doctor on Demand announced it has added board-certified psychiatrists to its network of 300 mental health professionals available in 27 states.
- Lack of access to mental healthcare is a big concern, not only in rural areas but also in big cities. Dr. Donovan Wong, the company's medical director of behavior health, said wait times can reach five weeks or more in Los Angeles.
- Although most patients currently pay out-of-pocket for services, the company said it hopes to change that soon.
Dive Insight:
The U.S. shortage of mental health professionals is daunting as more than half of the 3,100 counties have none and the average wait times in rural areas is eight months, according to Healthcare IT News.
Adam Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Doctor on Demand, said in a statement the shortage causes patients to be overcharged, or get "the wrong care or no care at all." By adding board-certified psychiatrists, the company hopes to increase access to high-quality care, Jackson said. Mental health services will be expanded nationwide by mid-year.
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates mental health treatment costs run $100 billion every year.
The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated one in five adults over age 18 had a mental illness in the past year, yet only 45% received treatment.