Mental health issues are very common, but also often misunderstood. It can be challenging to know what to do next if you suffer from a mental health condition (i.e., clinical depression or anxiety, etc.). That’s why it’s important to take advantage of all your health insurance benefits, including the mental health coverage offered through your employer. Here are six ways you can maximize your health insurance benefits for better mental health:
1. Review available benefits and prioritize based on your needs
The first step to getting the most out of your health insurance benefits is understanding what they are and how they can be used. Each person’s situation is different, so it’s important to take the time to review your specific plan and determine what services are covered under your plan and which ones you may need additional coverage for. For example, suppose you have high-deductible insurance and have not met that deductible yet. In that case, you might want to focus on using any funds from your HSA or FSA for preventive care like physical exams or blood tests rather than routine prescriptions for birth control pills or allergy medication. Also, consider whether there is a cap on how much your insurer will pay for mental health services before determining whether or not those services are worth paying for out-of-pocket.
2. Does your plan cover wellness programs?
Many health insurance plans include a wellness program that provides incentives for joining a gym or completing certain tasks to improve your physical health—including regular cholesterol tests, steps per day, or participating in smoking cessation classes. If you’re struggling with mental health, these types of programs may help you incorporate more physical activity into your daily life, keep track of your progress, and provide motivation to continue working toward self-care goals.
3. Does your plan cover therapy?
Many mental health therapies—like talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—can be expensive and aren’t always covered by plans. However, some employment insurance plans will cover therapy when you are referred by your primary care doctor. Look at the fine print so you don’t end up paying out-of-pocket for therapy sessions each month.
4. Understand your plan’s substance use disorder benefits
If you have a substance use disorder or are battling addiction, and have health insurance, it’s important to understand what your plan covers and how much it covers. For example, some plans may not cover treatment centers or inpatient treatments, while others may only cover outpatient care and support services. It’s also important to understand if you must use an out-of-network provider or if there is any limit on what your plan will pay out-of-pocket.
5. Self care
Many people don’t realize that some health insurance plans cover visits with specialists like nutritionists, naturopaths, registered massage therapists, or psychotherapists. Some plans even offer free educational opportunities and counseling sessions as part of their coverage benefits.
If you suspect that you might need help managing your mental health but don’t want to spend money on therapy sessions, it might be worth checking out your plan’s benefits to see if any free services are available to you.
6. Use your annual coverage
Many people don’t use their annual coverage because they don’t know how to get started, or they’re scared to make inquiries. If you have a primary care doctor, you can call them and ask for a referral. Or consult with your human resources department at work to find out what exactly is covered under your plan.
There are numerous ways in which mental health insurance benefits can be used to improve your overall well-being as an employee. With so many different plans available today, you need to take time and fully explore what your health plan will offer. Taking the necessary time to educate yourself on mental health options that can be covered under your particular policy is critical.
