Lack of access will intensify behavioral health needs

The latest Sg2 outpatient ED forecast shows behavioral health ED visits will grow faster than overall ED visits over the next decade. Behavioral health patients often stay in the ED longer, which can slow throughput and increase wait times. Workforce constraints will only add to the pressure. Approximately 40% of the U.S. population lives in a federally designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, with rural counties being more likely than urban counties to lack behavioral health providers. Meanwhile, nearly half of behavioral health providers are unable to take on additional Medicare or Medicaid patients.