A new study by the The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) finds access to psychiatric care to be inadequate in New Jersey.

(Catherine Yeulet, ThinkStock)
(Catherine Yeulet, ThinkStock)
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The MHANJ released a report looking at the access of psychiatric care in Preferred Provider Organizations in New Jersey, specifically looking at the accuracy of information, acceptance of new patients and wait times for appointments.

Barbara Johnston, Advocacy Director of the MHANJ said they identified 702 psychiatrists in the network and narrowed it down to a 525 sample size. However, almost immediately they found a major problem.

"Of the 525 doctors that we called, 33 percent was incorrect," Johnston said during a presentation in Trenton on Monday.

Of the remaining 321 doctors, only 51 percent were accepting new patients. Of the 126 offices accepting new patients, half had a wait time of two months or longer to make an appointment. Johnston said all of these barriers only frustrate already vulnerable individuals.

"When someone is seeking help and they have to keep calling, calling and calling, there's a very high level of frustration and people sometimes give up and we're worried about that… If you have to wait more than two months for an appointment, what will happen in the meantime," Johnston asked.

The findings were shared with legislators, the health plans that were included in the study and the Department of Banking and Insurance, which is responsible for managed care network adequacy.

Johnston said even having the doctors with the wrong information correct their listing can impact access in a positive way. In New Jersey, licensed Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) must maintain adequate network capacity.

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance requires HMOs to have "a sufficient number of licensed medical specialists available to HMO members to provide medically necessary specialty care. The HMO shall have a policy insuring access to specialists (including psychiatrists) within 45 miles or one hour driving time, whichever is less, of 90 percent of members within each county or approved sub-county service area."

In a press release, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-11) said "New Jersey needs to strategically address behavioral health workforce issues by creating an environment where behavioral healthcare providers will want to practice."

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