Even just 10 short years ago, mental health coverage was not an option on many health insurance plans. Too many people still had the stigma and assumptions about mental health in their minds, both professionally and personally. As more states began mandating this type of coverage, insurance companies became more accepting of mental health issues as actual claims for insurance coverage purposes. When you are searching for mental health coverage, it will be easier than it might have been a decade ago, but it still requires some time and attention on your part.
Start your search by taking the time to figure out which companies are going to be best to work with. If you already have health insurance, you need to determine if you have mental health benefits or if they are offered under a separate coverage that you have to pay extra for. If they aren’t included and the cost is reasonable, go ahead and sign up for them. Of course, you will have to be sure to check out waiting periods and exclusions so that you can get the treatment that you need.
If you do not have insurance or if the cost of adding mental coverage to your existing insurance is too much, you will want to find insurance companies that offer this coverage. See what types of limits and covered services they include, and what the costs of the coverage are. Compare these different policies to find the best coverage for your mental health needs. The average offering from insurance companies is about 20-30 visits with a mental health professional each year, of which about 50-80% of the costs are covered. If you do not find a plan this good, keep searching.
A lot of times, people wind up needing medications that are on the controlled substances list or dangerous in the minds of the insurance company. If you are prescribed benzodiazepines (Xanax, Adderall, etc.) or anti-psychotics that are strong (Lithium, Zoloft, etc.), you will have to check out their requirements for covering those prescriptions. Some insurance offers no prescription coverage while others will only offer limited coverage. There are even some health insurers who will severely limit the prescriptions that you can have by quantity, frequency of prescription, and other factors. Make sure that you get a comprehensive plan for mental health coverage. This is something that is completely feasible in today’s private health insurance industry and you should take advantage of it.