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Shopping for the Right Mental Health Insurance Plan
Written by Michael Asu   
Both men and women, a child or an adult are prone to mental health disorders. Research says that 1 out of 10 people in America, experiences some kind of mental health disorder. In another survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 60% of employee absence in an organization is due to some psychological problem. Anyone can have a mental health disorder. and might need mental health counseling However, there are certain groups that experience higher rate of disorders in comparison to others.

What is a Mental Health Insurance?

In comparison to other forms, mental health insurance is a new type of insurance. The insurance policy has many benefits and can save you lots of money. But, before shopping for a policy, you need to know the plans available in market and the one that is best for you.

Only a decade ago, most of the insurance companies offered a little or no coverage for mental health problems. With the increasing requirements of many States, insurance companies have included one or the other form of mental health insurance coverage in their health insurance policies. This is a good way of getting an affordable mental health care providers .

Mental health insurance now comes in different shapes and sizes. Though, policies vary but most insurance companies cover problems like anxiety, social phobia, depression and relationship difficulties. While buying a mental health policy, there are a few things you must look for, in any plan.

Benefits of a Mental Insurance Health Plan

Every mental health plan covers around 20-30 visits and you can get around 20-50 percent payback on the bill. The refundable amount depends on the place you live, background of the therapist and cost of the session that might be anything from $75 to $175. However, you will find some programs paying you 50% cover without having any limit on number of visits. Most of the mental health insurance providers do not cover weight loss and aromatherapy services. Screening for learning disabilities and IQ tests are never covered in the insurance plan.

Many mental insurance plans give you freedom of choosing your own therapist. A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a prepaid health plan will provide you a limited pool of in-network doctors to choose from. If you have a POS, Point of Service plan, you are free to visit any doctor in the country and the company will cover your expenses. In a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, you can select from a limited doctors, but you can also get a bit of fees covered for the professionals that you visit outside the network. One fact to be considered is that your out-of-pocket in this case will be higher.

There are certain norms that you need to fulfill before going for a mental therapy session. Some insurance companies need a referral form from a primary care physician, therefore, be sure to ask this before searching for a therapist. If you want to get cover for medications, an insurance plan will require a copayment as low as $5 for a general prescription and $10 or more amount for a branded drug.

Now the big question comes. How to Select a Cheap Mental Health Policy?

You will find many affordable policy options around you, whether you are looking for a mental health policy or the one that includes both mental and physical health coverage. The best way is to go to an insurance comparison website and ask for multiple quotes for comparison. While comparing, look if the policy:
  • Needs referrals from primary care physician or demands an employee assistance program.
  • Has a preferred list of hospitals and providers to choose from and the consequences involved in choosing some other professional.
  • Has a limited number of visits.
  • Pays for outpatient hospital care, medication and inpatient hospital care. Also find the nature of co-payments for the services.
  • Does not include certain diagnoses or pre-existing condition cover.
  • Has an annual deductible amount for its mental health service.
It is better if you research about the pros and cons of every insurance plan and determine the best one for you. Always adopt a step by step procedure by first choosing a particular plan, reading the policy norms and knowing if the company will or will not cover the expense before you fix an appointment. Another thing, which most of us tend to ignore is choosing a therapist. Decide the therapist you want to visit and work with him for developing a treatment plan while considering the number of visits your insurance policy will cover for you and some other restrictions involved in the plan.
 
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