After hearing all the buzz in the news about the new healthcare law that goes into effect in January 2014 in the U.S., I decided to find out the likely impacts, if any for those who deal with mental health issues as the cost of doctors' visits affects the care we receive.

The healthcare law is a controversial, hot button topic. The aim of this post/thread is not to start a political debate as the law has already been passed. It's just to find out the facts and share our findings with each other so we can be informed and prepared.

In my research so far, it would seem that an area of concern is specialists versus primary care doctors and the costs associated with the two. Many mental health patients are able to manage their illness by visiting their primary care doctors who are able to monitor, and write prescriptions, while other more serious cases would warrant visits to specialist psychiatrists. What I am interested in is the costs of both. At first glance it would seem as if primary care visits would become more affordable.

On the insurance side of things I read that everyone must have health insurance. However I also read that private insurers would be forced to cut costs...

What a lot to learn, and find out about?



Please share any findings you have. Thanks