Ron Wyden

When insurance companies host ghost networks, they are selling health coverage under false pretenses.

In a moment of national crisis about mental health, with the problems growing at such a rapid rate, the widespread existence of ghost networks is unacceptable.

It's time for that to change.

I look forward to working with Ranking Member Crapo and every member of the committee to get more of our hard work across the finish line so more families can get mental health care when they need it.

My view is that insurance companies have gotten a free pass for too long letting ghost networks run rampant.

I'm always an advocate for greater transparency that allows consumers and advocates to compare plans.

In a moment of national crisis about mental health, with the problem growing exponentially during the pandemic, the widespread existence of ghost networks is unacceptable.

In my view, it's a breach of contract for insurance companies to sell their plans for thousands of dollars each month while their product is unusable due to a ghost network.

When someone who's worried about their mental health or the mental health of a loved one finally works up the courage to pick up the phone and try to get help, the last thing they need is a symphony of 'please hold' music, non-working…

The Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act (S. 5093), introduced last Congress by Senator Smith and Chairman Wyden, would require audits of plans' provider directories.

Too often, Americans who need affordable mental health care hit a dead end when they try to find a provider that's covered by their insurance. Ghost networks mean that the lists of mental health providers in insurance company directories…

Too often Americans who need affordable mental health care hit a dead end when they try to find a provider that is covered by their insurance. Ghost networks mean that the lists of mental health providers in insurance company directories…

I believe, certainly, greater transparency, for example, ought to be an easy one for members of this committee to get around.

Our secret shoppers could get an appointment--now this is after people had paid vast sums--they could get an appointment only 18 percent of the time.

The widespread existence of ghost networks is unacceptable.

Ghost networks are an ongoing, persistent problem.

I am going to work with all of my colleagues here on both sides, Democratic and Republican, to get some real accountability for these patients who pay good money for mental health coverage and then find that there is very little 'there'…

It is a breach of contract for insurance companies to sell their plans worth thousands of dollars each month, while their product is unusable.

In any other business, if a product or service does not meet expectations, consumers get a refund.

What a ghost network is all about is essentially selling health coverage under false pretenses.

The fact is, these Americans are being ripped off by what the Government Accountability Office has described as a 'ghost network.'

Chairman Wyden highlighted during the hearing, Senate Finance Committee staff operating as 'secret shoppers' could successfully make appointments only 18% of the time.

I'm always an advocate for greater transparency that allows consumers and advocates to compare plans.

In my view, eliminating ghost networks is going to require a three-legged approach: more audits, greater transparency, and stronger consequences for insurance companies that don't keep their directories up to date.

Our secret shoppers were only able to get an appointment 18 percent of the time.