In-Network Mental Health Appointment Attempts Often Fail

A 2026 study reveals that 75 percent of attempts to book in-network mental health care fail due to inaccurate directories.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Mental Health

Isometric editorial illustration showing disconnected geometric conduits, representing the systemic failure of healthcare provider directory accuracy. — A 2026 JAMA Health Forum study found 75 percent of attempts to book in-network mental health appointments fail due to inaccurate insurance directories. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should insurance companies face stricter penalties for listing providers that are actually unavailable?

A study published in the JAMA Health Forum in October 2026 reports that 75 percent of attempts to book in-network mental health appointments fail. The research indicates that patients often face ghost networks, where providers listed in directories are unavailable or unreachable.

Why it matters

Inaccurate insurance directories create significant barriers to care, effectively preventing patients from accessing the mental health services promised by their plans. This issue persists despite federal requirements that mandate insurers verify directory information every 90 days.

Researchers placed 5,800 calls to psychiatrists and psychologists, finding only a 12 percent success rate for scheduling. Patients seeking care reported an average wait time of three weeks.

The players

JAMA Health Forum

This is a peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes research and analysis regarding health policy and the healthcare delivery system.

The details

Trained callers acting as secret shoppers found that less than 25 percent of evaluable calls resulted in an appointment with the specific clinician listed in the directory. The investigation examined provider directories across several states to expose the prevalence of ghost networks.

Researchers conducted secret shopper calls from October 2025 to March 2026.
The study findings were published in the JAMA Health Forum on October 27, 2026.

Health Landscape

This study demonstrates how administrative failures undermine the access goals set by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. It marks a departure from traditional policy compliance by showing that directory accuracy remains a critical, unresolved gap in the healthcare system.

Patients should verify provider availability by calling offices directly rather than relying solely on insurance company directories. If a listed provider is unavailable, documenting the interaction can help when disputing out-of-network charges with an insurer.

The takeaway

Ghost networks force patients to spend excessive time vetting providers who are not actually taking new patients. Implementing a direct confirmation call before booking is currently the most effective way to avoid scheduling delays.