Availability of Outpatient Child Psychiatric Care During COVID-19: A Simulated-Patient Study in Three U.S. Cities.

Objective: In this study, the authors sought to ascertain the availability of outpatient child psychiatric appointments in three U.S. cities.

Methods: Using a simulated-patient methodology, investigators called 322 psychiatrists who were listed in a major insurer's database for three U.S. cities, and they attempted to make appointments for a child with three payment types: Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Medicaid, and self-pay.

Results: Initial appointments were available 11% of the time, and it was most difficult to obtain an appointment under Medicaid coverage. Nineteen percent of phone numbers were wrong, and 25% of psychiatrists were not accepting new patients.

Conclusions: These results are concerning given the current mental health crisis among youths and suggest the need for more psychiatrists, higher reimbursement rates for psychiatric services, and continued efforts to increase access to care. This study also highlights the need for insurance companies to maintain accurate information in their databases.