Healthcare costs and paying for them pose obstacles for patients and providers alike. The patient financial experience is a frustrating, opaque process for the average American. For providers, a willingness to discuss financial responsibility before treatment begins creates transparency and opportunities for patient education. This leads to greater patient financial responsibility and satisfaction, all of which improve the patient's financial experience.

American society has undergone unprecedented changes over the last few years, primarily brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. A shift to remote work, an increase in inflation affecting the prices of household goods, and supply chain issues creating shortages have naturally affected the American workplace and the American employee.

Mental health disorders affect many Americans every year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year. While mental illness is common, it can be challenging to manage and treat. Mental health disorders can cause problems with thinking, feeling, and behaving. They can make it hard to cope with everyday stress, relate to other people, and keep a job.

The behavioral healthcare field is growing by leaps and bounds in America. As more and more people need treatment for substance use and mental health disorders, the demand for providers causes new players to enter the industry in an attempt to capture revenue.

The American healthcare system is a nightmare for most consumers. Patients often are left to navigate complex and confusing insurance plans in a frustrating attempt to understand coverage and co-pays. For providers attempting to deliver healthcare but also run a business, they are largely unaware of the patient's financial experience. They generate a bill, collect co-pays, file insurance, and ultimately pursue collections of outstanding patient financial responsibility.

The landscape of behavioral healthcare in the United States is laden with obstacles and difficulties, especially for patients. Accessing healthcare presents particular challenges to those needing mental health services, and even when available, understanding and affording it often present obstacles to those seeking treatment.

Healthcare costs, and paying for them, pose obstacles for patients and for providers alike. Patient financial engagement is a frustrating, opaque process for the average American. Transparency and education – and a willingness to discuss financial responsibility before treatment begins – lead to greater patient financial responsibility and patient satisfaction.

The American healthcare system is a nightmare for most patients. Navigating healthcare costs is almost impossible due to the lack of transparency, changing insurance fee schedules, and a general lack of financial knowledge among patients.