In conjunction with National Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Brand New Day, a California Medicare health plan, is raising the flag that those in need of mental health services oftentimes aren’t receiving care they need because they can’t gain the access to the system. Roadblocks include inadequate or no health insurance; lack of transportation; policymakers who don’t understand the full impact when the disease goes untreated; lack of government funding; limited number of mental health care providers; and treatment that doesn’t take into account the cultural nuances associated with Asian, African-American, Hispanic, Native American, LGBTQ and other minority communities.
James Pratty, M.D., Medical Director of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health for Brand New Day, says these barriers are particularly problematic given that approximately 20% of American adults face mental health challenges whether it’s depression, anxiety disorders (i.e., general anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorders, phobias), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or schizophrenia.
“While most of those with mental health issues only have mild forms of the disease(s) and receive adequate treatment, there are far too many who are falling through the cracks,” says Pratty, who notes that Brand New Day offers the Harmony program that is dedicated to treating those with mental illness. “We have to consider that the absence of treatment not only impacts the individual but society as a whole, especially when you consider the ramifications such as an increase in unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, suicide and unnecessary disability.”
Brand New Day works with independent brokers throughout the state and can arrange for an in-person appointment for those wanting to review the plans in their area. Brand New Day is a subsidiary of Bright HealthCare and Bright Health Group, (NYSE: BHG). For more information about the Brand New Day Medicare Advantage plans, call (866) 255-4795 and visit www.BNDHMO.com.