Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Most people know to go to the doctor when they’re sick, but they don’t always think about going to a therapist when they’re depressed. For some, this avoidance is because they don’t know how much therapy will cost. Does health insurance cover counseling and therapy? How can I tell if my mental health services are covered by insurance? Check out this guide from our Michigan counseling centers to learn these answers and more.
Mental Health Coverage Is The Same As (Or Better Than) Physical Health Coverage
Thanks to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act from 2008, mental and behavioral health coverage must be comparable to physical health coverage. In other words, your insurance provider cannot charge a higher copay for therapy appointments than they do for doctor’s appointments. If you currently have a $20 copay with your primary care physician, your copay will be capped at that. You may have a limit to the number of mental health visits covered per year based on “medical necessity,” but that issue rarely arises.
Simply put, counseling and therapy are covered under most health insurance programs, and the insurance company cannot charge you an extra fee for seeing a therapist.
Types Of Health Insurance That Cover Therapy
Most health insurance programs cover therapy and counseling. Any programs available through the Health Insurance Marketplace and covered under the Affordable Care Act will provide mental health covered. Employer-sponsored health insurance plans for companies with 50 employees or more are required to have mental health covered as well. Most Medicaid programs fall into this category, but there are some exceptions to that rule.
How To Find Out If Your Health Insurance Covers Counseling
Your counseling and therapy coverage will be outlined in your plan benefits. If you cannot find the information or you do not understand it, you can contact your health insurance provider to discuss your coverage. You can also talk to your counseling center about your copay. When you contact Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers in Michigan, we can review your insurance plan to tell you what your appointment fees will be, if any. Some health insurance plans cover the entire cost of an appointment!
Counseling is surprisingly affordable, so you can get the help you need without breaking the bank. Give us a call to schedule a confidential appointment, and we will help you figure out all of your counseling options.