Health insurance provider directories are required by law, but they often have errors

Health insurers’ directories often have errors and outdated information despite state and federal regulations that require insurers to take steps to make them more accurate. (stock.adobe.com)

If you have medical insurance, chances are you’ve become exasperated at some point trying to find an available doctor or mental health practitioner in your health plan’s network.

You find multiple providers in your plan’s directory, and you call them. All of them. But the number is wrong. Or the doctor has moved or retired or isn’t accepting new patients. Or the next available appointment is three months away. Or the provider isn’t actually in your network.