It is important to know what your mental health insurance coverage is in order to obtain the care you need. Many insurance plans have mental health coverage, but the specifics can vary widely from one plan to the next. It’s important to find out if your particular plan requires an initial consultation with a psychiatrist or if you can receive assistance from other qualified mental health practitioners, like psychologists, licensed counselors or social workers.
Before you start your journey to better mental health, sit down and go through your insurance policy line by line. Find clear language on the types of mental health services that are covered, including therapy sessions, psychiatric evaluations and medication management. Also, see if there are prerequisites such as referrals from primary care physicians and any limits on the number of therapy sessions the plan covers per year.
Certain insurance plans may be more flexible, and you may be able to skip the step of seeing a psychiatrist to try other types of treatment. Learn what copayments (if any), deductibles, and annual out-of-pocket maximum amount you may have to pay, as these are additional costs not included in (but that are important to factor into) your overall savings.
If you know more about your mental health coverage and the particular rules for your plan, you can make more informed choices about your mental health care. This information will give you a greater ability to navigate the maze that is the world of mental health, putting you in a better position to get the help you want without unnecessary barriers.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordable_Care_Act
https://www.healthcare.gov/
https://mhanational.org/
https://www.nami.org/
https://www.hhs.gov/answers/health-insurance-reform/does-the-aca-cover-individuals-with-mental-health-problems/index.html
https://www.apa.org/topics/managed-care-insurance/parity-guide
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy-professionals