Orwell's 1984

It's coming to pass you know.  Trust me when I say this.

Insurance companies have eradicated the field of Psychiatry.

PCP's untrained are left to provide prescriptions for medications in patients for which they have little knowledge.  Take the case of depression.  It has a wide scope of difficulties.

Studies for years show that the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and talk therapy.  Sounds great, right?  Well, not exactly.  Clinical depression cannot be elevated in most that quickly.  Sure patient attitudes play a role and thinking positively plays a role.  Meds can play a role.  Therapy distinctly needs to play a role.  Why?  Because self-defeating attitudes, behaviors, and environments play a huge role in clinical depression.  Further, if there have been any past traumas that are unresolved can play a major difficulty in successful treatment.  For this patient therapy takes on greater and longer needs.  How does one tell what the need is for a patient?  A specially trained professional.

Insurance companies are removing those professionals as no longer necessary.  Psychiatric beds in hospitals are nearly a thing of the past.  You know what that accomplishes?  Street people who often merely end up in jail.

But

Insurance companies have now developed behavioral health NOT psychiatry.  In other words they have brought the mental health world to its knees.  How?  Because algorithms now determine what kind of treatment you will receive.  And if there are complications do you know what will happen?  The patient will be blamed for failing to follow treatment recommendations.  And the patient's failure will provide the basis for denial of services.

Those in need of services will be abandoned for their failures and only the rich will be able to obtain services.

Why do I mention 1984?  Well - the state of Virginia has now partnered with INOVA to build a computer system that tracks a patient's every move, collating doctor's appointments, recommended treatments and outcomes.  Sounds lovely right?  Makes sense, right?

Does it really?  Because it contains the ability to justify denying medical benefits.  It means that that information is out there for anyone who wants it because no system is hack proof .... NO MATTER what "they" say.