ADVOCACY WITH BRIDGE
"The most common way people give up their power
is by thinking they don’t have any."
- Alice Walker
Bridge Co-founder, Nicole Sartini, is spearheading a local multidisciplinary Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force which aims to ensure access to mental healthcare for folx needing to use insurance benefits and increase the sustainability of our profession. The Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force is currently working on a bill is going to the KY House to address the need for fair reimbursement, transparency and increased attention on rural KY mental healthcare access. The task force is also producing educational material for both clients and clinicians dealing with insurance challenges related to their mental healthcare.
Our why:
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Mental Health providers are reimbursed by insurance companies an average of 30% less than other similarly educated healthcare professionals despite federal parity laws, and Kentucky has one of the lowest reimbursement rates for mental health services nationwide
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Companies such as BCBS are profiting billions each quarter while refusing raises for mhps and in some cases lowering reimbursement while premium costs for customers continue to rise
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Low reimbursement rates, clawbacks, etc, are driving mental health providers out of insurance networks and sometimes even out of the field in order to make their work emotionally and financially sustainable
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That has led to a provider shortage, especially in rural areas, and adds a barrier for insurance clients needing our services
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Advocating for higher reimbursement would improve provider participation in insurance networks, increase their ability to care for themselves and thus provide higher quality and more accessible services
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The value of soft skills such as empathy, active listening, emotional intelligence and compassion needs to be brought back into balance so power over systems can be exchanged for mutually respectful ones.
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Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force
We want to hear from you.
Has your health insurance let you down when you needed it the most?
Do you have ideas on how to improve insurance offerings? Tell us about it.
As Mental Health providers, we hear from clients all the time that they struggle to find a provider that accepts their insurance, that they've received unexpected bills, or that their insurers frequently deny coverage, ultimately creating new barriers to care.
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The Mental Health Insurance Reform Task Force is working to create something new - a real solution across all categories of care, not just mental health We aim to build a mutually respectful alternative to the current system to ensure patients can access the care they need and that providers are treated fairly and can keep serving patients.
We don't have all the answers yet, but we do know what we envision:
A people-powered healthcare system that prioritizes accessibility, fairness, and provider sustainability—a model that provides transparency, direct access, and community-driven care.
We have a lot of work ahead to make this happen, but we are committed.
​Join our
Mental Health Insurance Reform
Task Force
In the House + In the Media
House Bill 495 (25RS HB495) is currently in the hands of Kentucky legislatures and, at first glance, looks to provide discrimination protections for mental health care professionals. However, upon digging deeper, included amendments seem to seek protection for those providing conversion therapy. This opinion piece from the Courier Journal can provide more insight.
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To express your disapproval of this bill, please Contact Your Representatives.
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House Bill 290 (24RS HB290), also known as Braxton's Bill, is proposed by Louisville therapist Molly FitzKing. This bill is named after a young man, Braxton, who lost his life due to an accidental overdose after limited access to programs able to meet his need for extended care. This bill would require private insurance companies follow already established parity rules, acknowledging that substance use disorder is an illness and is frequently accompanied by mental health issues.
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To express your support of this bill, please Contact Your Representatives.
Please note that this bill may have a new number in 2025.
Human Mental Health Provider Grant Recipient
Our Bridge team has received an incredible opportunity to increase access to quality mental health services with a generous grant from The Humana Foundation and Greater Louisville Inc. Our mission to make a positive impact on our community is unwavering, but support like this opens up doors that allow us to magnify our reach far beyond what we are able to do on our own. Thank you Humana Foundation and Greater Louisville Inc.- The Metro Chamber of Commerce for entrusting us to use this funding wisely and believing in our ability to serve this community in a meaningful way. Together we are stronger.
We're collecting supplies for our community this winter season. Collections are being accepted at all of our locations and include socks, hats, period products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc.
Our Mission
Bridge Counseling and Wellness is an integrative mental health and wellness center in Louisville, KY. Our mind-body-spirit approach to mental health incorporates whole self-care, improving outcomes in therapy and increasing the overall health and well-being of our clients. We provide holistic mental health counseling and supplemental wellness services, such as free meditation and yoga classes, for those who are struggling with stress, anxiety, and depression. These services cater to anyone seeking to enrich their lives, move through challenges in a healthy way, and build emotionally intelligent foundations for authentic inner peace. We strive to embody respect for self and others by operating a business in alignment with our values and a desire to serve the greater good in a meaningful way.