Access to mental health treatment, especially affordable care, is a significant concern in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), less than half of the 60 million American adults and children with mental health conditions receive any treatment. Considerable barriers remain despite the passing of numerous laws to increase access to care. Untreated or under-treated mental health issues significantly impact the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Paying for mental health treatment is the most-cited reason for not seeking care. Approximately 30 million Americans have no health insurance coverage, and for others who do, high premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums can still make paying for treatment seem unattainable.
At Harmony Hills, we are dedicated to removing barriers to mental health treatment, including financial obstacles. Our intake specialists are experts at working with insurance companies and helping clients like you understand your benefits. Contact our team today at 855.494.0357 to learn more.
Understanding Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Treatment
Understanding insurance coverage and benefits can be confusing, particularly if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. However, it is essential to know what coverage you’re entitled to and what your specific plan offers so that you can make informed decisions about your mental health care.
Until recently, many insurance companies either refused to cover mental health (including substance use disorders) or only provided minimal coverage. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires that insurance plans offer the same coverage for mental health as for physical health issues.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 added mental health and substance use disorders to its essential list of benefits required by small-group and individual market plans. This act mandates mental health coverage rather than parity only if coverage is offered. Further, the ACA requires insurance providers to cap out-of-pocket expenses and prohibits them from placing limits on annual or lifetime mental health coverage.
Even with these measures in place, not all insurance providers offer the same benefits, so it is essential to understand your coverage before committing to a specific treatment provider. At Harmony Hills, we can help you understand your benefits. Insurances we accept include:
- Humana
- Beacon
- United Healthcare
- Bright Healthcare
- Optum
- Baycare
- Aetna
Other payment options are available if you do not have insurance or your insurance will not cover the level of care required.
A Look at the Cost of Mental Health Treatment
Although the ACA and other laws strive to make mental health treatment more accessible and affordable, more must be done. People without insurance, people of color, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes are still largely unable to access the care they need.
Additionally, because mental healthcare providers are often paid lower negotiated rates compared to physicians with similar education and experience, they often choose not to work with insurance providers. As a result, individuals seeking mental health care are five times more likely to have to work with an out-of-network provider for mental health services than for medical services.
The cost of mental health insurance varies among plans, but typically the higher your premium, the more coverage for services you will have. The cost of mental health treatment depends on your insurance coverage and the level of care needed. Following is a look at the average prices of different types of treatment:
- Weekly individualized therapy can range from $65 to over $250 per hourly session
- Prescription medications can range from $0 to $1000 per month
- 30-day mental health residential or partial hospitalization programs (PHP) average between $10,000 to $15,000
- Outpatient detoxification programs typically cost between $1000 to $1500
- 30-day residential substance use disorder rehabs range from $6,000 to $20,000
- Outpatient rehabs average between $5,000 to $10,000 for 90-day programs
These prices are national averages. Factors such as location, specialization, and whether the services are public or private also influence the cost of treatment.
Learn More About Paying for Mental Health Treatment at Harmony Hills
Understanding the ins and outs of insurance coverage for mental health can feel overwhelming, but help is available at Harmony Hills. We work closely with insurance providers to ensure you get the best coverage possible at the most affordable rate. Do not let fear of the cost of treatment prevent you from getting the help you need. Contact our team at 855.494.0357 or via our online form to learn more.
