My Insurance Doesn't Cover Mental Health Getting the Help You Need

Many people struggle to get the help they need for mental health issues because their insurance doesn't cover it.

According to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, health insurance plans must cover mental health and substance abuse treatment equally to medical and surgical services.

However, the reality is that many people still face barriers in accessing mental health care due to lack of coverage or high out-of-pocket costs.

In fact, a study found that 44% of adults in the United States did not receive mental health treatment in the past year due to cost concerns.

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Many people struggle to get the mental health care they need because they assume their insurance won't cover it. However, the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires health insurance companies to cover mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services.

According to the CDC, a quarter of U.S. adults have a mental illness at any given time, and half of U.S. adults will have a mental illness at some point in their life. This is why there's been a push in federal programs to make therapy and mental health services more accessible.

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If you have insurance from your company with more than 50 employees, your health insurance is required to provide equal mental health services to you. You can also purchase health insurance through an exchange under the Affordable Care Act, which includes mental health services as an essential health benefit.

Most Medicaid programs are required to give you equal access to mental health care. It's essential to check your insurance policy to see what's covered and what's not.

Here are some insurance providers that cover mental health care:

Keep in mind that coverage varies by insurance provider and plan, so it's essential to check your policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm what's covered.

If your insurance doesn't cover mental health, don't worry, there are still options available. You can look for sliding scale options or discounted rates, where the rate your therapist charges gets based on your income.

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Many therapists offer sliding scale fees, which can help make therapy more affordable. Some local community mental health centers may also offer financial assistance or alternative forms of therapy, like group sessions or one-off workshops.

Some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that cover the cost of a set amount of mental health services, often for free. You can also check with your college or university to see if they offer free therapy services to students.

Here are some online therapy options that may be more affordable:

Keep in mind that some online therapy platforms, like BetterHelp, offer student discounts, and graduate training clinics often offer low-cost therapy. It's also worth trying to contact therapists in your area to see if any are willing to offer free online therapy sessions.

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About half of therapists and counseling centers don't accept insurance, but you still have options. Many therapy providers offer sliding scale fees based on your income level, and some offer financial aid.

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If your therapist isn't in-network with your insurance provider, you can explore applying for a reimbursement through your policy. You can call your insurer to ask about reimbursement, and if they give you the green light, you can request a reimbursement through your provider's claims portal.

Mental health coverage varies by insurance provider and plan, so it's essential to check your policy details. You can call your insurance provider to ask two key questions: Does my plan include coverage for mental health services? Can you provide me with a list of in-network therapy providers?

Here's a breakdown of some popular insurance providers and their mental health coverage:

If your insurance provider covers mental health care and your therapist accepts it, you'll pay your copay or deductible just like you would with any doctor's visit.

If your insurance policy doesn't cover mental health coverage, you may explore other options to find virtual counseling that works for your budget.

You can look for sliding scale options or discounted rates, where the rate your therapist charges gets based on your income, making therapy more affordable.

Sliding scale fee structures can help you find more affordable therapy, and in almost all cases, that's your income, not your financial situation.

Some local community mental health centers have financial assistance to help community members, and they may also offer alternative, more affordable forms of therapy like group sessions or one-off workshops.

Community mental health centers can be a great resource to explore, even if they can't offer monetary aid.

Some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that cover the cost of a set amount of mental health services, such as six free sessions a year.

You can reach out to your HR team to see if your company has an EAP.

Most higher education institutions offer some level of free therapy to their students, which may be with your campus counselor.

Many online therapy platforms, like BetterHelp, also offer student discounts.

If you live in an area with a university that has a graduate training clinic, you can contact them to access low-cost therapy.

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You'll be paired with a future therapist who's still learning the ropes, but you can dramatically slash the cost of your sessions.

Some therapists offer their services pro bono, and that's especially true with virtual visits because they can be more convenient for both of you.

You can try contacting therapists in your area to see if any are willing to extend some free online therapy sessions to you.

Here are some options to explore:

If you're worried about the cost of mental health help, there are options available. You can look into Medicaid if you don't have health coverage.

If you have health insurance, check with your provider before your first therapy session to see if they'll cover the costs. If they won't, you can appeal their decision to the Federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services or the U.S. Department of Labor.

There are also programs available to help you afford medication related to your mental illness, offering discounts based on financial need.

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Employee Assistance Programs can provide a lifeline for those struggling with personal and professional challenges. Many employers offer these programs as part of their benefits package.

More than half of workers have access to Employee Assistance Programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that millions of employees can benefit from these services.

Employee Assistance Programs offer various forms of support, including mental health assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals for long-term mental health treatment. These services can help employees overcome life challenges such as personal relationships, substance abuse, medical conditions, or legal problems.

Services through Employee Assistance Programs are often provided at no cost to the employee, although sessions might be limited.

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If you're worried about the cost of mental health help, don't be. There are options available to you.

You can look into Medicaid if you don't have health coverage. You can also find a mental health professional with reasonable rates.

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If you have health insurance, check with your provider before your first therapy session. If your insurance plan isn't covering your therapy costs, you can appeal their decision.

Appealing your case can be a bit tricky, but you can always appeal to the Federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services or the U.S. Department of Labor. They can enforce the parity law and help you get your therapy costs covered.

If you need help paying for medication related to your mental illness, there are programs available to you. You can look into county, state, and national programs that offer discounts based on financial need.

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If you're worried about the cost of therapy, don't be. Online therapy isn't much different from traditional therapy in terms of services and effectiveness, and insurance coverage is similar too.

Some virtual therapy providers don't take insurance at all, while others only take certain forms of insurance. You'll need to find a provider who accepts your coverage, which can be a bit of a hunt.

The cost of online therapy can run anywhere from $130 to $200 per session, according to TherapyDen. But, many therapists charge the same amount for online and in-person therapy because they're providing the same services.

To bring the cost down, consider large therapy platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace. BetterHelp says an average session costs between $60 and $90, while Talkspace charges $99 per weekly session.

If your insurance provider covers mental health care and your therapist accepts it, you'll pay your copay or deductible just like you would with any doctor's visit.

Here's a breakdown of how insurance coverage varies by provider:

The 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurers to establish the same financial requirements for mental health care as they do for physical health care.