Mass. joins other New England states with practice
In a move to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health treatment for physicians, Massachusetts hospitals and health insurers have committed to eliminate questions about prior mental illness and addiction from their credentialing processes.
“I think this is an important step in the right direction,” Barbara Spivak, M.D., president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. “What we should really care about is whether you are currently having mental health issues that could affect your ability to practice. That’s much more important than asking if you had a problem 10 or 20 years ago.”
The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the credentialing p...