Board addresses prolonged mental health wait times in Kaiser patient care discussion

The San Francisco Health Service System (SFHSS) held a meeting on July 4, 2025, addressing critical issues surrounding mental health care access and service accountability. The meeting began with a follow-up on previous discussions regarding patient wait times for mental health services, particularly focusing on Kaiser Permanente.

A presenter highlighted that SFHSS had previously relied on self-reported data from Kaiser and the Department of Managed Health Care, which was found to be misleading. It was reported that patients often face average wait times of three months for ongoing mental health treatment, significantly longer than clinically recommended. The presenter emphasized that this delay can adversely affect patient outcomes, particularly for those suffering from conditions like major depression.

The discussion revealed concerns about the accuracy of data reported by Kaiser, with claims that 84% of ongoing treatment appointments fell within recommended time frames being described as manipulated. The presenter urged the board to strengthen data collection and accountability measures in future contracts with Kaiser to ensure patients receive timely care.

Following public comments, Supervisor Chan suggested that similar analyses should be conducted for other health plans, such as Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, to ensure comprehensive oversight of mental health services across all providers. The board agreed to consider this broader evaluation in future discussions.

The meeting also included a vote on a blackout period notification, which passed unanimously, and a financial report presented by Chief Financial Officer Larry Liu, summarizing the health service system's financial status as of October 31, 2021.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the urgent need for improved accountability in mental health service delivery and the importance of addressing systemic issues across all health plans to better serve the community's needs. The board plans to continue discussions on these matters in future meetings.