Mental health issue mostly about access
The current explosion in the need for mental health services is, to some extent, is related to the pandemic aftermath, a reader writes. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo/Lbeddoe / Alamy Stock Photo
Mental health issue mostly about access
The article "LI's mental health access" [News, Oct. 18] correctly identified the problem as not about "coverage" but about access. Many people contact me assuming that because they have insurance coverage they will have access to my services. This is often not true because if the provider is not "in network" there is no access, even though the provider is more than qualified. Regarding the shortage of mental health providers, apart from poor insurance remuneration, there are other impediments: Some insurers require claims submission within 90 days of service; some require recredentialing every 120 days; there is a cumbersome and complicated process of obtaining an explanation of benefits; and there is an inability for some representatives to know and articulate answers to simple questions -- not to mention the wait time to get a live voice. Also, the current explosion in the need for mental health services is, to some extent, is related to the pandemic aftermath. A major contributor is social media, which makes available all kinds of mischief, misbehavior and misinformation for people of all ages and in all kinds of relationships.
The Rev. Alan F. Steinke, Massapequa
The writer is a clinical supervisor at Lutheran Counseling Center in Mineola.
A surprise at this Social Security office
My wife and I recently had a positive experience at the Mineola Social Security office ["Social Security field offices struggling," News, Oct. 9]. Since we could not make an appointment, we arrived at around 10 a.m. expecting a long wait. Instead we found just two or three people ahead of us, and we were able to complete our business in less than half an hour.
Bart Simon, New Hyde Park
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