The NFL and NFL Players Association plan to launch a Behavioral Health Network to expand mental health support for professional football players and their dependents.<\/p>\n
Beginning Sept. 1, active and former players and their family members will have access to a large group of providers jointly selected by the NFL and the NFLPA. The goal is to provide more accessible, affordable mental health care tailored to an individual\u2019s specific needs.<\/p>\n
In addition to more personalized support, the Behavioral Health Network will offer unlimited outpatient visits, 100 percent covered by the league and union, meaning players will not need any coinsurance and will not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for treatment. The previous plans covered the cost for eight visits per individual but then required players to pay a portion of the costs for visits that exceeded the limit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is ensuring we eliminate the obvious barriers and \u2026 because the NFL and NFLPA both vetted the list of providers \u2026 we are ensuring that they are uniquely qualified to see our (players and family members),\u201d said Dr. Amber Cargill, NFLPA wellness director. \u201cIt\u2019s not just because they\u2019re in the general (health care provider\u2019s) network.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a curated list of folks who have lots of experience with working with players and families, or they\u2019ve had unique training or professional experiences that make them qualified to work with our population.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent years, the NFL and NFLPA have increased their efforts on the mental health front. Those efforts have only intensified following a year in which the NFL community dealt with the tragedies that saw Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland<\/a> and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore<\/a> both take their lives.<\/p>\n