DoubleChecks

What was claimed

Having health insurance in America doesn't mean you can actually use it. Researchers posing as patients called 5,822 in-network mental health providers: most calls hit voicemails, over half the listings were wrong, and just 24% of real calls ended with an appointment.

Our verdict

Accurate

Researchers placed 5,822 calls to psychiatrists and psychologists listed in commercial insurance networks across five states.

Combined assessment16 sourcesChecked Oct 19, 2026

Why this verdict

  • Most calls hit voicemails.

    Verified
    Two assessments reached this conclusion; one differed·Perplexity: Misleading

  • Over half the listings were wrong.

    Verified
    All assessments reached this conclusion

  • Researchers posing as patients called 5,822 in-network mental health providers.

    Verified
    All assessments reached this conclusion

  • Just 24% of real calls ended with an appointment.

    Verified
    Two assessments reached this conclusion; one differed·ChatGPT: Misleading

Evidence reviewed

16 sources

Perplexity, Claude and ChatGPT sources are combined here.

news.osu.edureddit.commedicaldaily.combioengineer.orgfinance.senate.govmiragenews.compmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govajmc.compmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govgao.gov

Individual assessments

Assessment summary

  • The claim accurately summarizes a recent study of 5,822 psychiatrists and psychologists listed in commercial insurance directories.
  • The study found that more than six in ten calls did not reach a person, 56% of evaluable listings contained inaccurate information, and 24% of calls answered by a person resulted in an appointment with the listed provider.news.osu.edu

Claims reviewed

Most calls hit voicemails.

Misleading
More than six in ten calls reached an automated system or answering machine, but the source does not establish that all or most specifically reached voicemail.news.osu.edu

This claim may mislead readers without added context.

Over half the listings were wrong.

Verified
Among the 2,252 calls that reached a person, 56% revealed inaccurate directory information.news.osu.edu

Just 24% of real calls ended with an appointment.

Verified
Among calls answered by a person, 24% resulted in an appointment with the listed provider.news.osu.edu

Assessment summary

  • The statement accurately reflects findings from a recent Ohio State University study published in JAMA Health Forum.
  • All three specific claims are supported by the research: 5,822 calls were made to in-network mental health providers, 56% of analyzed calls revealed inaccurate directory information (which is "over half"), and 24% of successful calls resulted in appointments with the listed clinician.
  • The study's methodology and findings are accurately represented.

Claims reviewed

Most calls hit voicemails

Verified
The study found that 61% of calls were nonevaluable, with most reaching answering machines or automated systems with no option to speak with a live agent.alert.psychnews.org This means the majority of calls did not reach a person.

Researchers posing as patients called 5,822 in-network mental health providers

Verified
Multiple sources confirm researchers made 5,822 calls to psychiatrists and psychologists listed in commercial insurance provider directories across five states (Delaware, Montana, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Virginia).news.osu.edu source unavailable

Over half the listings were wrong

Verified
Among the 2,252 calls that could be fully analyzed, 56% revealed inaccurate information in the provider directory, meaning listed phone numbers, locations, or practice affiliations did not match reality.news.osu.edu newswise.com

Assessment summary

  • The core numeric claims match a recent JAMA Health Forum secret-shopper study.
  • The study called 5,822 listed psychiatrists and psychologists and reported low reachability and low appointment rates, including the 24% figure for answered calls that ended with an appointment and widespread directory inaccuracies.
  • Multiple reputable summaries and the journal article report the same key numbers.

Claims reviewed

Just 24% of real calls ended with an appointment.

Misleading
The 24% figure describes the share of answered calls (calls where a person picked up) that resulted in an appointment; across all 5,822 first attempts the appointment yield was much lower (~9–12%). The original wording omits that distinction. jamanetwork.com trestlewire.com

This claim may mislead readers without added context.

Most calls hit voicemails.

Verified
The study found low direct contact rates and many calls did not connect to a person; first attempts yielded appointments in only about 9–12% of cases, indicating the majority of calls were unanswered or reached voicemail. jamanetwork.com alert.psychnews.org

Over half the listings were wrong.

Verified
The authors reported that more than half (about 56%) of evaluable calls were affected by directory inaccuracies (wrong phone, wrong specialty, or wrong in‑network status). jamanetwork.com alert.psychnews.org

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