HB1812

As someone who has been a mental health counselor in New Hampshire for more than 15 years, I absolutely support this bill.

This law is much needed. Provider networks DO need this oversight. We recently expeirenced ghost networks in another state. Seeking mental health treatment for a loved one. The insurer claimed to have a list of providers to take patients and offer services. We spent a full week calling, emailing, trying to get the insurer to send any kind of list that ACTUALLY had providers of the services we needed. This is three adults working on it for a week. We found one provider by accident. The entire network of providers the insurer claimed to work with or connect covered people with, as well as the state listing of providers, was 95% "ghost", wrong, or did not take new patients. Plus those offering services need to be checked to see how well the do what they say they do!!!! "HB 1812 seeks to strengthen network adequacy for mental health treatment in New Hampshire and requires periodic evaluation to assess provider networks. This bill will help improve access to mental health care by identifying ghost networks and provider shortages throughout the state"

I believe a system of periodically instructing teachers and public school staff on how to identify and seek help for a student or colleague at risk for suicide is a process worth investing in. Francis Hayes, MD ret.

Honorable Chair and Committee Members, AS a retired physician and member of the House Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and legislative appointee to the New Hampshire Commission on Aging, I support HB 1812 as a means of monitoring the availability of adequate provider networks in New Hampshire. It is important to have an ongoing assessment of the quality of physical and mental health care available in our state before insurance providers decide to enter or leave our market. I ask that you vote OTP on HB 1812, Respectfully, Representative Janet Lucas Grafton County District 7 .