The Benefits of Using Your Health Insurance for Mental Health Services

Reduced Medication Costs

Many people living with mental health disorders benefits from prescription drug therapy. Even if you pay for your therapy sessions out of pocket, your health insurance policy still covers prescription medications. If you aren’t asked to pay only a copay for the visit, you should only still have to pay a discounted “network” rate, instead of the full normal rate.

Pre-existing Conditions Do Not Affect Coverage

Even if you were diagnosed with a condition like bipolar disorder or generalized anxiety disorder decades ago, your health insurance provider cannot deny you coverage for treatment. Under ACA, pre-existing conditions must be covered. Our recommendation is to make sure you are seeing contracted providers if possible. If you have an HMO, you won’t really have a choice, you will be required to use their providers, or pay out of your own pocket to see who you want to see. But by doing so, your out-of-pocket costs will be much lower.

Drawbacks of Using Health Insurance for Mental Health Services

Lack of Long-Term Documentation Privacy

Any documented health treatment that you receive that is filed through your health insurance company becomes part of your permanent medical file. If your health insurance company audited your records to prevent fraud, they would have access to all the details about what was discussed in each counseling session. This lack of privacy makes therapists hesitant to accept health insurance, and patients hesitant to file claims.

Difficulty Finding a Therapist

Health insurance companies and therapists have a difficult relationship, and in most cases, working with health insurance companies results in therapists receiving less money and taking on a lot more administrative work. For this reason, many therapists do not accept health insurance. Those that do typically have very long wait times, which may not be practical when dealing with a mental health issue. We have a shortage of mental health providers here in Nevada. This too compounds the problem.

The Requirement for a Specific Diagnosis

In most cases, health insurance companies only cover medically necessary services, which requires a specific diagnosis. However, many people seek mental health services for reasons not defined by a specific mental health condition. Unless you are receiving mental health services for a particular disorder like bipolar or schizophrenia, you may have a hard time getting your health insurance to cover your sessions. Call your insurance plan for details on what mental health coverages are actually covered.

Finding Mental Health Insurance Coverage with Nevada Insurance Enrollment

Different health insurance plans have different coverage options, so if you need mental health services, there is a plan for you. At Nevada Insurance Enrollment, our health care agents can help you review your needs and find the right coverage options for you.

Related Articles:

♦ Mental Health Coverage in Health Insurance

♦ What Is The Difference Between An HMO And A PPO?

♦ What Are Essential Health Benefits and Who Has to Have Them?

♦ What Is Covered by The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Care Plans

Read More: Health Insurance in Las Vegas, Nevada

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