A Guide to Mental Health Insurance Coverage

When people suffer from mental health issues, it is just the same as any other medical condition or disease that should be covered by all health insurance companies. However, this is not the case. Millions of people in America are afflicted with mental health problems every year, but only about one third of those Americans will get adequate insurance coverage for their mental health problems. Many Americans either don't have insurance at all therefore can not seek treatment, or they do have coverage and are afraid that their mental illness will be recorded and flagged, so they do not seek treatment at all. There are some Americans that do not seek treatment for their mental illness simply because they are embarrassed.

When you are considering mental health insurance you should make sure that it covers the following, but is not limited to.

1. Therapist coverage- at least 20 to 30 visits per year

2. That it covers Anxiety

3. Depression- Manic Depressive

4. Schizophrenia

These are the most commonly covered mental health problems. Insurance companies do not cover Drug and Alcohol treatment (call your carrier). Always remember that insurance companies no longer pay for mental health problems like they used to, so it is important for each individual to contact their insurance carrier to find out what is covered.

There also are state agencies that do assist with mental health coverage, you will need to get in contact with your local Human Services Department for further information. Today there are 43 states that have passed legislations providing some sort of mental health coverage for their residents.

Here are some of the mental health plans that are in my state of Kentucky. I have put in the information for a 40-year-old female, smoker with mental illness and I received prices from 4 carriers with 5 different plans. The four carriers were Anthem BC/BS, United Health Care, Humana, and Aetna and here are the plans.

1. Anthem Blue Access Value 2000- plan type PPO, $2,000 annual deductible, office vistit co-pay $30.00, co-insurance 30% with a monthly premium of $155.25.

2. Anthem Premier 100- plan type PPO, $2,500 annual deductible, co-insurance 0%, $30.00 office visit co-pay
with a monthly premium of $239.89.

3. Humana One-Monogram Total/7500 Plus Rx- plan type PPO, $7,500 annual deductible, $25.00 co-pay for
office visit until deductible has been met with a monthly premium of 96.85.

4. Aetna PPO 2500- plan type PPO, $2,500 annual deductible, 20% co-insurance, $30.00 office visit co-pay until
deductible has been met with a $197.00 monthly premium.

5. United Health One Co-Pay Select 80/2500- plan type is network, $2,500 annual deductible, 20% co-insurance,
and $35.00 office visit co-pay with a monthly premium of $218.59.

All of these health insurance plans offer mental health coverage, hospitalization, specialist and prescription coverage at affordable rates. Remember to do the research before you commit to purchasing health insurance.

References for this article came from ehealthinsurance.com and healthinsurance.com