Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What resources would we recommend for individuals who need mental health care without insurance? Additional resources for those who are denied coverage?
Finding assistance, or insurance, for mental healthcare and treatment can be extremely difficult. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a free resource available to everyone. They are the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
NAMI is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Furthermore, NAMI has more than 600 local affiliates and 48 state organizations. NAMI actively works in the community to help raise awareness and provide support to those in need. They also provide education that was not previously available to those in need.
What are some of the challenges people often face when trying to navigate insurance for mental healthcare?
One of the challenges faced is the lack of substance abuse or mental health coverage on insurance plans. Oftentimes the only affordable health insurance policy has extremely high deductibles. Thus, requiring payment prior to admission into a facility.
What should people keep in mind when trying to choose the right mental health professional?
When looking for the right mental health professional there are a few things you should consider. Most mental health providers can treat a range of conditions. So when choosing a mental health professional try and find someone that is specialized in treating your specific diagnosis.
Some clinicians may be familiar with treating anxiety and depression. However, others are great at treating people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The best common practice is having a psychiatrist or psychologist with a licensed clinician in order to maximize the success of your treatment.
What are some common misconceptions about mental health coverage?
Most misconceptions are that “everything” is covered. Every insurance is different. Some insurance policies will ONLY cover substance abuse, and some will ONLY cover mental health. Some insurances only cover partial aspects of mental health treatment, while others cover every and all mental health diagnoses. The best way to find out is to call your own health insurance and ask them what your plans cover.
What are some limitations people should be aware of when working with insurance for covering mental health services?
Some limitations that may arise when using insurance are that some plans only cover facilities or providers that are local. Some plans do allow out-of-state coverage and allow you to seek treatment anywhere in the United States. As stated in previous answers, some plans don’t cover specific treatment and some plans will have limitations on how much they will cover in a calendar year.
What resources are available to people to help them navigate insurance for mental healthcare?
If a person already has coverage, we would suggest calling the member services phone number on the back of the insurance card. The insurance company will go over all professionals and facilities that will be covered under the specific plan. If the person does not have health insurance, they can sign up for health insurance under the affordable healthcare act. They can look up insurances that have mental health coverage and find the help that they need.
Insurance for Treatment at Harm Reduction
Here at Harm Reduction Center, we believe that everyone should be able to afford treatment. We accept many insurance policies here at HARC, and under certain health insurance plans, you could receive coverage up to 100% of the cost. To find how much coverage your insurance plan provides, please fill out this verification form on our website.
