News
Yesterday there was an important story about the July 1, 2010, federal implementation date of a law, passed by Congress in 2008.
That law’s purpose is to assure that when a worker’s insurance claim is filed, whether it be for diabetes or depression, there is no difference in the way the health plan manages them.
The American Psychiatric Association commissioned a national survey, with the results released this week.
That survey shows that coverage or no coverage, people fear the stigma associated with seeking treatment.
Part of the fear of stigma can be found in employer attitudes. Results showed an even split—40% of employers are “extremely supportive” of workers who need help and 40% are “unsupportive.”
Nevertheless, getting coverage is a vital first step for patients.
Now, the American workplace—-those who own or run it and those who work in it—-need to find a way to make the law one they all can live with, one which does not harm careers or paychecks because of prejudices about mental health needs.
“Fears about losing status at work and about confidentiality are among the main reasons that many American workers are more hesitant to seek treatment for mental health issues than for physical health problems, according to a national survey released this week by the American Psychiatric Association.
“More than 40 percent of the 1,129 respondents said their employer was supportive or extremely supportive of their workers seeking care for health concerns. However, the online survey also found that barriers persist for workers who said their workplace is unsupportive of employees seeking treatment, especially for mental health concerns.
“Among employees, 76 percent believed their work status would be damaged by seeking treatment for drug addiction, 73 percent for alcoholism, and 62 percent for depression, compared with 55 percent who thought seeking care for diabetes would affect their work status and 54 percent for heart disease.” (Emphasis added)
Source: Business Week/Health Day News, January 30, 2010
Source: American Psychiatric Association Survey, Week of January 24, 2010 (Summary not found)
Source: ABC News, January 29, 2010
