Anthem’s Leadership on Improving Access to Children’s Behavioral Healthcare in New Hampshire

Anthem is continuously working to expand access and reduce costs for behavioral healthcare

 

 

Here's the latest from New Hampshire.

 

Over the past two years, Anthem has taken significant steps to increase access to mental healthcare for children and adults in New Hampshire. We were proud to be the first insurer to eliminate copayments and other forms of cost share for all children and teens accessing behavioral health services.

 

Our broad behavioral healthcare provider network in NH – which we have grown significantly over the past two to three years – means members who need care can get an appointment within 48 hours – if needed that quickly.

 

Also, over the past year, Anthem has provided access to tens of millions of dollars’ worth of behavioral health services for children/teens under age 19 in New Hampshire.

 

And Anthem also offers “wraparound services” for its members – both children and adults.

 

Anthem remains committed to working together on further enhancing behavioral healthcare in New Hampshire.

 

Anthem recognizes and shares the commitment of New Hampshire policymakers to improving access to mental health services for children. However, recent criticisms of Anthem and other health insurers regarding coverage for behavioral healthcare – particularly around our position on Senate Bill 498 (SB 498) – have not accurately reflected the full scope of care already being provided.

 

Suggestions that Anthem is “refusing to cover children’s mental healthcare” because we do not want to cover this care do not accurately reflect Anthem’s ongoing good-faith efforts to work collaboratively with the state and other stakeholders on this issue.

 

Anthem believes that progress on this issue will only come through transparent, collaborative, and constructive dialogue. Clear and honest communication that builds mutual understanding is essential to advancing our shared goal of improving access to care for children and families.

 

The state has shared information with the news media indicating that 25 Anthem members have utilized wraparound mental health services provided by the state’s contracted care-management entities. However, to date, the state has not shared the necessary information with Anthem about these services, nor have they sent us claims requesting payment.

 

Our position is simple: as currently written, SB 498 would impose a new and undefined tax on employers and members at a time when affordability remains one of the biggest concerns facing working families and small businesses across New Hampshire.

 

Despite recent mischaracterizations on this issue, Anthem will continue working in good faith with state policymakers, care providers, and other healthcare stakeholders to ensure children in the state have access to the behavioral care and services they need.

 

Need Assistance?

 

Anthem members can explore their options through the Sydney Health app and/or anthem.com – where we have a dedicated section for Anthem New Hampshire behavioral health resources. Members can also call the customer service number on their ID card to start the process. Our members using the Sydney app can go to the Find Care tools on the app, which also show those providers accepting new patients.