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BCBSM billing change could limit access to mental health care, psychiatric offices say
By Kyla Russell at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· June 29, 2026
· 3 min read
A recent billing change announced by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will affect access to mental health care across the state, according to psychiatric offices. The insurance provider says the change is in line with up-to-date guidance. Local 4 is following the announcement after first coveri...
Key takeaway “With the policy that will be starting in March, when the nurse practitioner sees those patients, reimbursement will only be at 80%,” Williams said.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The billing change by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has significant implications for Detroit 's mental health care landscape. With a shortage of psychiatrists already plaguing the state, this policy shift could exacerbate the issue, forcing clinics to transfer care from nurse practitioners to psychiatrists. For a city like Detroit, where access to mental health services is already a concern, this change could lead to decreased access to care for its residents. The potential trickle-down effect, where individuals unable to get into an office end up in the emergency room, is particularly worrisome. Detroit's emergency rooms are already strained, and an influx of mental health cases could further stretch their resources. As the city continues to grapple with issues like poverty, crime, and lack of resources, ensuring access to mental health care is crucial. The impact of this billing change will be closely watched in Detroit.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A recent billing change announced by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will affect access to mental health care across the state, according to psychiatric offices. The insurance provider says the change is in line with up-to-date guidance. Local 4 is following the announcement after first coveri...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kyla Russell at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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