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Mental health services in Washington state are always affected by the crisis of capacity, and thus a constant problem. Many highly qualified therapists do not accept insurance, mainly because the reimbursement rates from the insurance companies are meager. This further adds to the divide between coverage and availability. If you have insurance but cannot find an in-network provider, you are left with two unpleasant options: either paying out-of-pocket or waiting for months to get treatment. The Reimbursement Issue Leading to Provider Shortages  The mental health situation in Washington is characterized by a simple arithmetic problem: demand is greater than supply, but at the same time, the reimbursement is not covering the provider’s costs, and networks are unable to attract or keep providers. Those patients who have insurance find it difficult to get care, while, on the other hand, uninsured patients have to pay directly for their immediate care. Telehealth Did Not Solve the Problem But Expanded Access  The telehealth expansion during the COVID days was a big help but was also unable to completely fix the capacity problem. You can now have a video consultation with the health providers who are outside your direct area. However, these providers are also under stress from the huge demand, and thus the availability of appointments still remains limited. The Waiting Period Compounds the Condition  The earlier the intervention, the better and cheaper it is. When the system is not functioning properly, the result is the same delayed intervention, but with worse outcomes and higher costs—the exact opposite of efficient health care. Why Private Pay Often Costs Less Than Insurance Coverage  After having paid for deductibles, copays, and limited-session coverage, sometimes the cost of mental health care using insurance is higher than the private-pay rates. In addition, the private-pay patients get instant appointments with the qualified providers, while the other ones have to wait for months to have a consultation with the insurance-approved options. Conclusion  Are you in need of General Mental Health in Washington that you can actually access? We have sliding scale rates, and on top of that, we will assist you in getting the most out of your insurance benefits when available. Don’t delay your journey to healing by waiting for months—give us a call now to know the available appointments!