A study published in JAMA Network Open by Included Health and Harvard Medical School found that patients in high deductible health plans are less likely to seek virtual behavioral healthcare when costs are reintroduced. The study analyzed 15,000 patients and revealed that those required to pay out-of-pocket attended 1.5 fewer telemental health visits per month, with 11.7% stopping visits altogether.
No shit. Poor people (who are more likely to have mental health challenges) stop going to therapy if they cannot afford it? Get these scientists a nobel prize
The whole point of the scientific method is to test – and re-test – things that are “obvious”. Sometimes they are (as they are here). Sometimes they are not. Having certainty and evidence means that it is harder for those who would cut such benefits to pretend as if it doesn’t matter.