Searching for a fundamental 'particle' of mental health

The discovery of the Higgs particle, which gives matter its mass, was a huge breakthrough for scientists since "confirming its existence was imperative to a full scientific understanding of the world," and its has an equivalent that has yet to be found when it comes to mental health, forensic psychiatrist Erik Roskes writes for The Crime Report.

The equivalent of the "Standard Model" of mental health — Higgs plays an essential part in the "Standard Model" of physics — is a world in which "people are not penalized for their illnesses but rather than an array of tools from which to choose and which they can use to become mentally healthy," Roskes writes.

Though those tools have not yet been identified, there are paths down which researchers are going to find them, including molecular and pharmaceutical research; psychotherapies and rehabilitation. Research has led to pharmaceutical approaches, "not perfect, but far preferable to a world without them," he writes. It has led to cognitive therapy to treat depression, anxiety and, in some cases, psychosis. It has also led to advances in rehabilitation of mental illnesses and developmental disabilities like autism.

Like the search for the Higgs particle, finding its equivalent in the world of mental health is worth the search, Roskes concludes. (Read more)

State and school employees and retirees hit obstacles when seeking mental health treatment; doctor blames Humana

State government and school employees in Kentucky have trouble seeing a psychiatrist because of Humana Inc.'s low reimbursement rates and unrealistic requests for paperwork, an op-ed piece in the Lexington Herald-Leader contends.

Humana manages the Kentucky Employee Health Plan, which has 285,000 current and retired Kentucky workers as members. But those needing mental health services are apparently running into roadblocks, Dr. Jeffrey Tuttle writes:

"Humana dictates the fee, which is often significantly lower than the regional market rate. Humana also requires in-network psychiatrists to submit medical records and documentation so they can determine if an appointment is medically necessary." But many doctors are uneasy doing so "because it jeopardizes confidentiality and leaves major treatment decisions in the hands of any anonymous Humana employee."

Visits to out-of-network providers arte likewise complicated, Tuttle alleges, in large part because Humana only reimburses $69 per visit, though the going rate, according to the Healthcare Bluebook, is $160. That low reimbursement means many more visits to meet the health plan's $800 deductible.

However, visiting in-network providers can be difficult. "Of the 83 active psychiatrists with a primary office in Fayette County (excluding psychiatric residents in training), only 12 work in clinics accepting Humana plans," Tuttle writes. "To make the situation worse, several of these psychiatrists are not accepting new Humana patients." (Read more)

Humana did not respond to a request from Kentucky Health News for comment.