Virginia Hospitals Report Millions Of Dollars In Uncompensated Care For Uninsured Patients With Mental Health Problems

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance;  Mental Health
Article Date: 15 Oct 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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Virginia does not have enough experienced psychiatrists to evaluate residents or enough hospital beds for patients seeking emergency mental health treatment, and many hospitals are losing money treating these patients, according to a report released this week by the General Assembly's Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission, the Washington Post reports. The 230-page report found that 47 of 135 localities in Virginia do not have public psychiatrists and that 87 do not have public child psychiatrists. According to the report, "Additional psychiatric beds cannot be opened unless there are psychiatrists available and willing to staff them." The report continues, "On the outpatient side ... a lack of psychiatrists affects licensed hospitals because individuals in need of psychiatric service cannot find them in the community, and ... turn to emergency departments."

In addition, the study found that 24 of the state's 26 private hospitals licensed to admit mentally ill patients reported unreimbursed fees totaling $61 million in 2005 and that 14 EDs reported unreimbursed costs for treating mentally ill patients totaling $45 million. The study also found that on a single day, 60% of the 6,350 mentally ill people in state hospitals or jails were in jails.

The report recommended that the state "examine its potential role in ... assuring an adequate supply of beds ... (by) increasing financial support for uninsured psychiatric patients." Gov. Timothy Kaine (D) and General Assembly members have said they would address the issues raised in the report during next year's legislative session (Jenkins, Washington Post, 10/11).

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