Although most covered workers had inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits in 2004 (98%, see Exhibit 4.1), they typically faced limits on the number of outpatient mental health visits (81%) and the number of inpatient mental health days (79%) covered by their health plans. For outpatient visits, the limit was most typically 30 visits or fewer (63%), with 32% of covered workers having maximums of 20 or fewer visits. The limit on inpatient days was most typically 21-30 days (45%), with 14% of covered workers having maximums of 20 or fewer days.

Percentage of Covered Workers With Various Annual Outpatient Mental Health Visit Maximums, by Plan Type, 2004*

	Conventional	HMO	PPO	POS	All Plans
20 Visits or Fewer	25%	48%	26%	32%	32%
21 to 30 Visits	26	26	34	28	31
31 to 50 Visits	5	6	11	8	9
More than 50 Visits	9	5	9	14	9
Unlimited Visits	35	15	19	17	19

Percentage of Covered Workers With Various Annual Inpatient Mental Health Day Maximums, by Plan Type, 2004*

	Conventional	HMO	PPO	POS	All Plans
10 Days or Fewer	5%	4%	7%	5%	6%
11 to 20 Days	8	9	8	6	8
21 to 30 Days	44	47	45	46	45
31 or More Days	17	21	18	26	21
Unlimited	27	18	22	17	21