(NBC NEWS) — Insured Americans are paying more for behavioral health services than other medical conditions.
Researchers studied health claims from nearly 4-million people with either mental health or substance use disorders.
They were more likely to have out-of-network care or pay more out-of pocket per year compared to those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes.
The costs on average ranged from several hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars per year.
The scientists believe the higher cost may be a result of limited availability of behavioral health care providers in insurance plans.
