Most covered workers face limits on the number of outpatient mental health visits covered by their health plans, although there may be some loosening of these restrictions in 2003 (Exhibit 9.6).
Overall, 16% of covered workers have unlimited outpatient mental health visits com-pared to 11% in 2002. Twenty-seven percent of workers are restricted to 20 visits or fewer per year.
Unlimited inpatient mental health days are not frequently offered and the prevalence is unchanged from 2002, with only 17% of covered workers having unlimited inpatient days. Slightly more than one-third of covered workers (37%) are limited to 21 to 30 inpatient mental health days per year, and another 13% are limited to 20 or fewer days per year (Exhibit 9.7).
Workers in small firms (3-199 workers) are approximately twice as likely as workers in large firms (200 or more workers) to have tight restrictions on both outpatient and inpatient mental health visits. For example, 39% of workers in all small firms are limited to 20 or fewer outpatient mental health visits per year, compared with just 21% of workers in all large firms.
