Mental health insurance is a way to help pay for treatment for problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and behavior disorders in children.
The Affordable Care Act provides expanded mental health and substance use disorder coverage. The law now requires health plans cover mental health and substance use disorders services, behavioral assessment for children, and depression screening for adults.
Read your benefit booklet or call the customer service phone number on your insurance card to get answers to these questions:
Once you know what your insurance covers, you can ask your healthcare provider for a referral. You might also ask friends about therapists they might recommend.
You may need to meet with a few therapists before you find the one who works best for you. Most therapists welcome the chance to meet for one session to answer your questions. Ask if there is a charge for this introductory session when you set the appointment.
The US government has set up a web site to help uninsured people find health coverage. You can fill out the Marketplace application, and find out what your choices are for health insurance. For more information, contact:
Medicaid is a government program that helps pay for the cost of healthcare for people with low incomes and limited assets. Medicaid programs are different from state to state. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a program that provides mental health coverage to children in families who cannot afford private insurance but have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid.
You can get more information from your local social services department.