Dearth of psychiatrists limits spectrum of care in Montana

Marie Jackson moved to Lewistown in 2001. After several years, she needed a doctor to review the medications she was taking to treat her major depression.

The Medicare recipient needed psychiatric service, yet it took her several months to actually see a doctor.

“I called all the psychiatrists in Great Falls and Billings, and no one was available to take a patient,” she said. “I’m on Medicare. Medicaid (patients) have an even worse time. There is at least a three- to four-month wait for persons with referrals to even get in to see a psychiatrist.”

By JOHN HARRINGTON – Independent Record

Full Story: http://helenair.com/articles/2009/08/02/top/65lo_090802_mh4.txt