network adequacy

Network adequacy in healthcare in the United States is having sufficient providers within a health plan network to ensure reasonable and timely access to care. {{cite web |last1=Bradley |first1=Katharine |last2=Wishon |first2=Allison |last3=Donnelly |first3=Alexandra |last4=Lechner |first4=Amanda |title=Network Adequacy for Behavioral Health: Existing Standards and Considerations for Designing Standards |url=https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/network-adequacy-behavioral-health |publisher=U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |access-date=22 September 2024 |date=November 2021|id=HHSP233201500035I}}{{source-attribution}}

Health insurance plans may include ghost providers to falsely maintain compliance.{{cite news |last1=Rahim |first1=Hannah |title=Addressing Ghost Networks in Mental Health Care |url=https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2023/12/06/addressing-ghost-networks-in-mental-health-care/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=Bill of Health |publisher=Petrie-Flom Center|agency=Harvard Law School |date=December 6, 2023}} There are no federal standards, though several states, including California, have passed legislation to ensure minimum network adequacy.{{cite news |last1=Pollitz |first1=Karen |title=Network Adequacy Standards and Enforcement |url=https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/issue-brief/network-adequacy-standards-and-enforcement/ |access-date=22 September 2024 |work=KFF |date=4 February 2022}}