Does Insurance Cover Mental Health?

According to Mood Letter, one in five American adults will experience mental illness at some point in their lives. However, only 40 percent of them get treatment. People do not get treatment for mental health disorders for many reasons some, but difficulty paying for treatment is one factor.

Private Insurance

• Most private insurance plans cover mental health care, but coverage varies from plan to plan. Most plans limit the number of days they will cover inpatient mental health care and many also limit the number of outpatient visits to counselors or psychiatrists. If you have private insurance, carefully review your plan to make sure you understand what it does and does not cover. If you think you might need more counseling sessions than your plan covers, talk to your counselor about how you will pay for them; some counselors will give you a reduced rate if you pay out-of-pocket.

Medicare

• Medicare, a federally funded health insurance program for elderly and disabled people, covers mental health care. Medicare Part A covers inpatient mental health treatment. Medicare Part B covers outpatient services like consultations with psychiatrists and counseling sessions. Medicare Part D covers many psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Medicaid

• Medicaid, a health insurance program funded by both federal and state monies, covers mental health care for many people with low incomes and limited resources. Coverage varies slightly from state to state, but Medicaid usually covers inpatient and outpatient mental health care, as well as psychotropic medications. Unfortunately, many psychiatrists and counselors do not accept Medicaid for payment. The mental health board in your county may be able to refer you to treatment providers who do accept Medicaid payments. If you have trouble affording the mental health care you need, you can apply for Medicaid at the welfare office in the county where you live to find out if you qualify.

Noncoverage

• If your insurance does not cover mental health care, contact the mental health board in your county. Many mental health boards have information on funds that help pay for mental health care for uninsured people with low incomes. A local hospital might also be able to refer you to a mental health care provider with affordable fees. If you feel suicidal, you can go to any emergency room and get immediate assistance, whether or not you have mental health insurance coverage.