We understand that insurance can be confusing and intimating but we are here to help. We know that you invest in your healthcare by paying premiums and would like to get the most out of your investment. Mental health is covered by most plans, however there are traps that will have your stuck in the insurance maze.
The first step to making the most out of your insurance is to do your research. If possible meet with your benefits administrator to understand your options. Get familiar with terms such as deductibles, co payments and co insurance,
The number one thing that trips people up is deductibles. You may have heard of an deductible with your car or home insurance. Health insurance deductibles work the same way. Deductible are the amount you pay for covered health care services before your insurance plan starts to pay. With a $2,000 deductible, for example, you pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself. After you pay your deductible, you usually pay only a copayment or coinsurance for covered services. Your insurance company pays the rest. Some plans have separate deductibles for certain services, like prescription drugs. Family plans often have both an individual deductible, which applies to each person, and a family deductible, which applies to all family members.
Depending on your current health insurance provider or employee benefit plan, it is possible for services to be covered in full or in part. Please contact your provider to verify how your plan compensates you for psychotherapy services. We recommend asking these questions to your insurance provider to help determine your benefits:
Does my health insurance plan include mental health benefits?
Do I have a deductible? If so, what is it and have I met it yet?
Does my plan limit how many sessions per calendar year I can have? If so, what is the limit?
Do I need written approval from my primary care physician in order for services to be covered?
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