Women with depression: Financial barriers to access

The costs of treatment constitute a barrier to access for women with depression. Many women lack insurance coverage. Those who have coverage often face large out-of-pocket costs. Some improvements in access and coverage have occurred over the past 15 years. The share of women treated for depression has increased, although the increase has been in medication treatment only. The level of out-of-pocket spending has fallen, but this decline happened, in part, because overall outpatient spending fell substantially. There is not yet parity between mental and physical health coverage. Psychologists should continue to be mindful of financial barriers in making treatment recommendations.