Health Insurance for Mental Health Therapy

Every year millions of Americans seek out professionals to help with their mental health. For various reasons, many more do not seek help often because they either do not have health insurance for mental health coverage, or their current plan does not cover these costs.

One in five American adults has some mental health issue that needs addressing. Out of the 45 million Americans who need help do not get it. Not only is it a lack of insurance, but mental health comes with a negative stigma, this causes many to be embarrassed to seek help.

Would changing how Americans view mental health and a core insurance coverage rectify the situation? Or are there other alternatives? Let’s explore those questions and get some answers as we review Health insurance for mental health.

Does Health Insurance cover mental health

Obama Care (The Affordable Care Act) made a requirement that all health insurance plans in the federal marketplace provide coverage for mental health services for the following mental health therapies:

• Behavioral and cognitive therapy
• Substance abuse treatment
• Inpatient care at a full-service psychiatric facility

Employer plans, on the other hand, do not have this requirement, so you must read your plan’s coverage if you are covered under your employer. However, over 90% of employer plans do provide some coverage for mental health, usually at the specialist co-pay rate. many companies have provided online therapy programs during this time. These online therapy services generally are less expensive. 

Finding Affordable Care

There are free or low-cost resources out there for you if you do not have coverage, or your coverage is limited. Remember, you cannot be turned away from a hospital if you have a medical emergency, regardless of your ability to pay. Here are some resources in case you need professional help:

• Check your local free clinics to see if they offer mental health services
• Health Resources and Services Administration clinics provide medical services based on what you can afford. To locate a center near you check out the HRSA clinic locator
• Another great resource is Mental Health America. Its mission is to be a “community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.”

These are all great resources. If you think you need mental health treatment and aren’t getting it due to a lack of coverage or money, try these resources. 

Getting help is critical.

Not getting the help you need can lead to many poor decisions that cause physical health problems, such as obesity or drug-use disorders. The first step is to recognize that you need help. If you do not have coverage and can’t afford care, please check out the free resources above; if those are not able to help, please don’t stop trying to find help. Many people suffer needlessly in this country; getting the help you need will not only bring happiness back into your life but also help you make a better decision with a clear head.

Self-help

If you are struggling with mental health, one of the first steps in dealing with these struggles is to make changes to your lifestyle to remove the obstacles that may be causing the issue.

Some of the changes that can help clear your mind are

• Reducing alcohol intake
• Sleeping more
• Eating a balanced and nutritious diet
• If you have anxiety or depression, your meditation, and deep breathing techniques are very effective
• Maintain a close group of friends as a support network; this can be essential to recovery from mental illness and the support of close friends and family

Early signs of mental illness

Mental illness can show in many different ways, but there is no tried and true test. However, the experts look for the following signs as an indication that you may have a condition where you need help. Look for these signs of a mental health issue:

• Sleeping more or less than usual
• Eating more or less than normal
• A feeling of hopelessness
• Low energy
• using nicotine or alcohol to cope
• withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues
• avoiding activities that you usually enjoy
• Confusion 
• Negative emotions
• Unable to concentrate and unable to complete daily tasks
• persistent negative thoughts or memories
• thinking of causing physical harm to yourself or others
• hearing voices
• experiencing delusions

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, get the help you need, as it will bring a brighter tomorrow.