How long and how much? Wait times and costs for initial private child mental health appointments
Melissa Mulraney, Cindy Lee, Gary L. Freed, Michael Sawyer, David Coghill, Emma Sciberras, Daryl Efron, Harriet Hiscock
Abstract
AIM: To determine: (i) wait times and out-of-pocket costs for children attending private specialists for initial mental health appointments; and (ii) whether these differed between specialists working in metropolitan versus rural areas and in low, medium and high socio-economic areas. METHODS: Prospective secret shopper study whereby a researcher posed as a parent seeking an appointment for her child with anxiety or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We contacted 317 private paediatrician, psychiatrist and psychologist practices in Victoria and South Australia between 12 March and 5 May 2019. RESULTS: One third (29.8%) of private practices were closed to new referrals. The average wait times for paediatricians, psychiatrists, and psychologists were 44, 41 and 34 days, respectively. Average out-of-pocket costs quoted were AU$120 for paediatricians, AU$176 for psychiatrists and AU$85 for psychologists. CONCLUSION: Parents face extensive wait times and substantial out-of-pocket costs when seeking private mental health services for their child.