TELL THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS:
DON'T LET BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD of FLORIDA DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS!
In late 2011, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS FL) terminated its contracts with almost all of its mental health andaddiction serviceprofessionals in Florida. BCBS FL brought in New Directions Behavioral Health to offer them less favorable contracts. BCBS FL also turned over the management of mental health and substance use benefits to New Directions.
We have heard many complaints about how these changes affect patient access to care (further details below). We believe that BCBS FL's actions violate the new federal Mental Health Parity Law that prohibits discrimination against mental health and substance use patients.
Sign this petition if you believe that <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
· BCBS FL’s changes have significantly impaired access to needed mental health andaddiction recoverycare.
· BCBSFL should not discriminate against mental health and substance use patients.
· BCBSFL must demonstrate that its mental health and substance use patients get quality care and that those patients are served by an ample and experienced network of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
· The Administration and Congress must ensure that BCBL FL and other insurance companies comply with the federal Mental Health Parity Law.
FURTHER DETAILS:
Terminated psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers were invited to reapply with New Directions at substantially lower reimbursement rates, and with restrictions on referring patients to care.
Many of those providers have been forced out of BCBS FL’s network by the negative changes to their contracts.
BCBS FL refuses to provide information about whether and why it singled out mental health and substance use for these cuts and restrictions – we’ve seen no evidence that medical services were affected.
Patients have been affected in numerous ways:
· Some dropped out of treatment or cut back on care
· Some have been forced to pay higher out of network fees
· Others have had their care disrupted
· Many have beendistressed by sparse and confusing information about the transition from BCBS FL to New Directions.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
March 8, 2012
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 2, 2012
Reached 100 supporters
February 22, 2012
18 Comments
The New Direction Behavioral Health Florida Blue outsources their mental health to is not only unprofessional but unethical. My son that is under my plan was being treated in patient for a suicide attempt signed a release for me to deal with them and they wouldn't ignored it. New Directions was rude hung up several times without listening kept cutting me off when I spoke. Even their fool supervisor was doing that.
Its time to focus on mental health and addictions as a disease as it is...and find help...not take it away!! Coming from a mother of two who both stuggled with addiction and mental health issues... resources are far to scare already... we need more..they need more!!
I picked them for better mental health coverage. Their website search had issues findind behavior analysis specialist as I need and calling they first directed me to a different farmed out group (that said I wasnt in their system so they didnt think I was covered) later I called back and was told to use New Directions. They(bcbs) couldn't give me a website for them but did give me their number and was going to connect me at 8 saying new directions was open till 9. Then said oh they must close at 6. I chose this big well known seemingly reputable group for solid mental health options and better docs due to the reliability and rates that I believe were what gave them an edge with doctors in the mental health field.
Insurance prohibits recovery by limiting and or even denying the addict the help they need, This needs to stop.
By defunding healthcare for those with mental illnesses, in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy of December 14, 2012, shows that Florida does not think that this issue is a serious one for our nation. PLEASE reconsider the termination of mental health and addiction services for Florida residents and help our country to shine a much-needed light on this issue in your state, as well as in our country.
https://www.change.org/p/charles-dean-mental-health-assistance-within-the-prison-system?recruiter=577375649&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink
History
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TELL THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS:
DON'T LET BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD of FLORIDA DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS!
In late 2011, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS FL) terminated its contracts with almost all of its mental health andaddiction serviceprofessionals in Florida. BCBS FL brought in New Directions Behavioral Health to offer them less favorable contracts. BCBS FL also turned over the management of mental health and substance use benefits to New Directions.
We have heard many complaints about how these changes affect patient access to care (further details below). We believe that BCBS FL's actions violate the new federal Mental Health Parity Law that prohibits discrimination against mental health and substance use patients.
Sign this petition if you believe that <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
· BCBS FL’s changes have significantly impaired access to needed mental health andaddiction recoverycare.
· BCBSFL should not discriminate against mental health and substance use patients.
· BCBSFL must demonstrate that its mental health and substance use patients get quality care and that those patients are served by an ample and experienced network of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
· The Administration and Congress must ensure that BCBL FL and other insurance companies comply with the federal Mental Health Parity Law.
FURTHER DETAILS:
Terminated psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers were invited to reapply with New Directions at substantially lower reimbursement rates, and with restrictions on referring patients to care.
Many of those providers have been forced out of BCBS FL’s network by the negative changes to their contracts.
BCBS FL refuses to provide information about whether and why it singled out mental health and substance use for these cuts and restrictions – we’ve seen no evidence that medical services were affected.
Patients have been affected in numerous ways:
· Some dropped out of treatment or cut back on care
· Some have been forced to pay higher out of network fees
· Others have had their care disrupted
· Many have beendistressed by sparse and confusing information about the transition from BCBS FL to New Directions.
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
March 8, 2012
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 2, 2012
Reached 100 supporters
February 22, 2012
18 Comments
BCBS FED and New Directions decline treatment and puts my daughter's life at risk
The New Direction Behavioral Health Florida Blue outsources their mental health to is not only unprofessional but unethical. My son that is under my plan was being treated in patient for a suicide attempt signed a release for me to deal with them and they wouldn't ignored it. New Directions was rude hung up several times without listening kept cutting me off when I spoke. Even their fool supervisor was doing that.
Its time to focus on mental health and addictions as a disease as it is...and find help...not take it away!! Coming from a mother of two who both stuggled with addiction and mental health issues... resources are far to scare already... we need more..they need more!!
I picked them for better mental health coverage. Their website search had issues findind behavior analysis specialist as I need and calling they first directed me to a different farmed out group (that said I wasnt in their system so they didnt think I was covered) later I called back and was told to use New Directions. They(bcbs) couldn't give me a website for them but did give me their number and was going to connect me at 8 saying new directions was open till 9. Then said oh they must close at 6. I chose this big well known seemingly reputable group for solid mental health options and better docs due to the reliability and rates that I believe were what gave them an edge with doctors in the mental health field.
Insurance prohibits recovery by limiting and or even denying the addict the help they need, This needs to stop.
By defunding healthcare for those with mental illnesses, in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Tragedy of December 14, 2012, shows that Florida does not think that this issue is a serious one for our nation. PLEASE reconsider the termination of mental health and addiction services for Florida residents and help our country to shine a much-needed light on this issue in your state, as well as in our country.
https://www.change.org/p/charles-dean-mental-health-assistance-within-the-prison-system?recruiter=577375649&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink
History
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BCBS FED and New Directions decline treatment and puts my daughter's life at risk