South Shore, NY - July 22, 2015 - Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky authored a letter to the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) last week to express deep concern about the lack of commercial insurance coverage for mental health services for middle class families on Long Island (attached). He requested that DFS launch an investigation to determine the scope of this pressing problem.
Assemblyman Kaminsky said, “After hearing from numerous constituents and closely studying this issue, it is clear that commercial insurance companies do not have adequate mental health service networks for hard-working families. This lack of access to care is alarming and I hope DFS will immediately respond to my letter by commencing a thorough study of this issue.”
While Medicaid covers comprehensive mental and behavioral health services, commercial insurance frequently does not provide coverage. Some mental health clinics have stopped accepting commercial insurance due to lack of reimbursement. This leaves families who do not qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford to pay out of pocket for costly services with few options to access care for their children.
“In this day and age, it is disgraceful that mental health treatment is still not being taken seriously. Turning children and their families in need away is simply unacceptable,” said Assemblyman Kaminsky.
Andrew Malekoff, Executive Director and CEO of North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, said, “I applaud Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky’s calling for a NYS Department of Financial Services’ investigation of commercial insurance companies with respect to network adequacy and substandard rates of reimbursement for behavioral healthcare. The reality, today, is that fewer community-based mental health clinics are accepting privately insured clients who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, which leaves these families with nowhere to turn for affordable community-based outpatient mental health and chemical dependency care.”