How Health Insurance Helps Make Mental Healthcare More Accessible

Nowadays, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of mental health plans and the necessity for proper mental healthcare. Having insurance coverage for mental health services like therapy and other supportive treatments is crucial to ensure the access they need for their mental wellbeing.

As modern-day worries continue to grow and put pressure on our everyday lives, access to mental health care is more crucial than ever.

In this Pacific Prime article, we look at the importance of making mental health care more accessible, and why securing health insurance is crucial for those looking to treat their mental health.

The Importance of Making Mental Healthcare More Accessible

Mental health is an essential part of your overall health and well-being. However, many people face obstacles in accessing affordable, high-quality mental healthcare services, particularly those in marginalized communities and rural areas.

Access to mental healthcare is crucial for everyone to reach their full potential and to fully live and enjoy life as they deserve. Thus, as a fundamental human right, it needs special attention.

Several international agreements recognize mental health as a human right, including:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living for their health and well-being, including access to medical care and necessary social services.
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights asserts the right for everyone to enjoy the highest possible standard of physical and mental health.
• The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires States to provide persons with disabilities the same range, quality, and standard of free or affordable healthcare programs as provided to others.

Barriers to Mental Healthcare Access

Despite the clear importance of mental health for overall well-being, several obstacles such as the cost, social stigma, and a lack of insurance coverage prevent people from getting the care they desperately need, just to name a few.

With that in mind, let’s take a deeper dive into the most common barriers to mental healthcare access:

• Cost: The out-of-pocket costs for therapy sessions, psychiatrist visits, and medication can place an enormous financial burden on patients and their families, making mental healthcare unaffordable for many.
• Lack of insurance coverage: Several health insurance plans offer very limited coverage for mental health services compared to physical health coverage. This makes it challenging for those with mental health conditions to access adequate care.
• Supply Shortages: There is a global shortage of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, therapists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers. This shortage leads to long wait times and limited access to care.
• Stigma: Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental illness still persists, preventing individuals from seeking help for fears of judgment, discrimination, or negative consequences personally or professionally.
• Geographic Barriers: In rural and remote areas, access to mental health services can be extremely limited due to the lack of providers and facilities in those regions.

How Health Insurance Can Help Mental Healthcare More Accessible

Mental health insurance offers several crucial advantages that make it an essential part of comprehensive healthcare coverage. From financial aid to comprehensive coverage, here’s a look at some of the most significant advantages that mental health insurance provides:

• Financial Relief: Mental health insurance helps ease the financial strain that comes with seeking mental health treatment. By covering a significant portion of costs for therapies, counseling sessions, and psychiatric care, it reduces out-of-pocket expenses for policyholders.
• Expanded Provider Access: Most mental health insurance plans have networks of licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. This makes it easier for policyholders to find qualified mental health professionals who accept their insurance.
• Preventive Care and Early Intervention: Many plans cover routine mental health screenings and assessments. This allows for early detection and timely treatment of conditions like depression and anxiety before they worsen.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Mental health insurance typically covers a wide range of mental health conditions, from common issues like anxiety disorders to more severe conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This comprehensive coverage ensures policyholders can access appropriate treatment for their specific mental health needs.

Tips on How to Get Insurance that Covers Mental Health Issues

If you’re considering therapy or other mental health treatment, you may be concerned about whether your insurance will cover the costs.

Whilst some countries have laws and initiatives to make mental healthcare more accessible, some insurers may deny claims if they determine the treatment wasn’t medically necessary.

Below, you’ll find more information on what’s covered by law, and how to appeal your health insurance company’s decision if they initially deny coverage.

Which Plans Cover Mental Health Issues?

The following types of health insurance plans are subject to the parity law, which requires equivalent coverage for mental health services:

• Employer Health Plans: If your company has more than 50 employees, the insurance provided must cover mental health services at the same level as other medical services.
• ACA Marketplace Plans: Health plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act exchanges are required to provide greater access to mental health services, which are listed as essential health benefits.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): This insurance program for children from families with limited incomes must include comprehensive mental health coverage.
• Medicaid: Most Medicaid programs are designed to provide equivalent access to mental health care compared to other medical care.

Getting the Mental Health Help You Need

If you need mental health support but are worried about costs, there are numerous options available. If you don’t have health insurance, you can look into qualifying for Medicaid. Otherwise, you can look for mental health professionals offering reasonable rates for uninsured patients.

If you do have health insurance, be sure to check with your provider before starting therapy to understand your coverage. If your plan denies coverage for therapy costs, you can appeal their decision.

The appeal process depends on your insurance type, but you can also appeal to federal agencies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or the U.S. Department of Labor to enforce parity laws requiring equal mental health coverage.

For medication costs related to mental illness, there are assistance programs that provide discounts based on financial need to help make medication more affordable.

While mental health services still lag behind physical health in accessibility, the system has improved substantially to expand access and coverage for mental healthcare. Don’t hesitate to explore your options for getting the care you need.

Put Yourself First with Pacific Prime

Mental health is integral to overall well-being, yet many face barriers to affordable and adequate mental healthcare. Thus, having the right international health insurance and family health insurance that provides comprehensive mental health coverage plays a crucial role in improving access.

From covering therapy costs to enabling preventive care and early intervention, mental health insurance offers numerous invaluable benefits.

But with so many options on the market, looking for the right insurance plan to meet your needs and budget can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s why it helps to work with a reputable broker like Pacific Prime.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Pacific Prime offers comprehensive international health insurance and family health insurance with tailor-made solutions to any health-related matters with expert knowledge.

Contact us for impartial advice and a free plan comparison today!

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Veerabhatr Sriyananda

Content Writer at Pacific Prime

Veerabhatr is a content writer with over 6 years of experience with a particular penchant for storytelling and marketing, both in print and online. He now works with an experienced team of writers at Pacific Prime, aiming to shed light on the essence and benefits of insurance for companies and individuals by creating engaging, informative content across multiple platforms.

After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations from Mahidol University International College, Veerabhatr has forged his career as a content writer in the travel, lifestyle, and real estate industries, writing in both English and Thai. He now continues to hone his skills as a writer at Pacific Prime, looking to engage and educate the audience by simplifying insurance.

Writer by day, and a DJ by night, Veerabhatr is a staunch music lover, and listens to all spectrums of genres available. He also loves to drink beer (moderately), eat all types of food, go to the beach, and learn about different cultures across the globe. He is also a die-hard fan of football and motorsports.

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