Open Letter to Molina
922 S. Cowley St Spokane, WA 99004; Ph. 509.822.6777, F. 509.676.6655
June 14th 2024
TO:
Molina Healthcare
1330 N. Washington Street Suite 4000
Spokane, WA 99201
RE: Urgent Request for Reconsideration of Therapist Reimbursement Rates and Re-Credentialing Procedures
Dear Molina Healthcare Leadership,
I am writing to you today with deep concern regarding the current state of therapist reimbursement rates and the inefficiency of the re-credentialing process at Molina Healthcare.
As a mental health practice working within your network, our team have faced significant distress related to these issues. In 2023, our team provided care for 670 of your more than 5 million members. While we are a small practice, we are dedicated to providing quality care to your members. In addition, a core value to our mission is to advocate for and provide real opportunity for our providers to balance work life, productivity, and a healthy personal life balance.
For the first three months of this year, through no fault of our own, our contracts failed to be updated and required a great deal of administrative work and much too much time to find a resolution. This not only impacted our ability to operate effectively but also caused immense stress and anxiety for our entire team. We are still working to recover financially from these unexplained delays.
The re-credentialing process at Molina Healthcare is unnecessarily cumbersome and unreliable. The delays and lack of clear communication create frustration and uncertainty for therapists and other healthcare providers, adding yet another layer of anxiety to our already demanding work.
The emotional and mental well-being of therapists directly affects the quality of care we can provide to your members and is making it increasingly difficult to retain highly skilled providers and a positive morale.
Mental health professionals are a vital part of Molina Healthcare's network, playing a critical role in the well-being and scientifically supported preventative care to your members. We are passionate about providing quality care, but the current system makes it increasingly difficult to do so effectively.
Therefore, I urge you to reconsider the following:
Increase therapist reimbursement rates: A significant increase in reimbursement rates is essential to ensure the financial sustainability of therapists within your network and is core to the mission of burn-out prevention.
Implement a streamlined re-credentialing system: A more efficient and reliable re-credentialing process will eliminate unnecessary stress and delays for therapists.
By taking these steps, Molina Healthcare can demonstrate its commitment to supporting the mental health professionals and those of us working in small, family-owned, private practices who are the backbone of our economy and a strong middle class. We can then work together to ensure that your members have access to the quality mental healthcare they deserve.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and a collaborative effort in creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for mental health professionals as we continue to value our partnerships with the Molina Healthcare network.
Sincerely,
