Tricare, the military health insurance, has awarded both the mental health and medical portions of the contract to the conglomerate, Humana. Humana will be contracted to provide authorizations for beneficiaries, provider network contracting, provider and beneficiary education, as well as claims and referral management. This will be effective October 1, 2017. All of the mental health providers in Northwest Florida have received new provider contracts from Humans to sign. In the contract, Humana has gutted the reimbursement rates to mental health providers. For MD's and PhD's/PsyD's, the rate has been significantly decreased by %35. For masters level clinicians, it has been significantly reduced by %30. This is not a fair wage to our front-line care providers. It would be nearly impossible for any level of a mental health provider to stay in a private practice setting. In addition, this impact will cause facilities to reduce their staff or rate of payment to mental health providers. Subsequently, the majority of the mental health providers (all licensure levels) are highly considering a boycott of the Tricare provider network. This will have a detrimental effect and leave a gaping wound in the Tricare provider network. This will significantly diminish access to care for active duty and retired beneficiaries and their dependent. Currently, the USA is still battling suicide rates among our military members whether active duty, retired, or discharged. There is still approximately 22 suicide a day in America! In addition, the rate of suicide and self-harm among adolescents has grown exponentially. This is evidenced by a recent session that was held in Tallahassee with lawmakers, representatives, advocates, experts, etc. to discuss this horrifying recent statistic. Please join us in demanding that rates NOT be reduced to mental health providers. In fact, rates should be increased to mental health providers. This reduction in rates is a perfect example of corporate greed. Rates continue to be decreased annually by major insurance companies by Value Options, Magellan, and historically Choice Behavioral Health Partnership. Stand up and Fight this reduction to honor our military. They deserve better! America deserves better!
