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Mental health professionals can do much for their patients. Whether it’s helping you navigate a hard time, teaching you ways to manage everyday stress or coming up with a treatment plan for a diagnosed condition, they’re an indispensable part of society.
However, many insurance providers are picky regarding mental health care, making it hard to find a clinic or professional you work well with and are covered.
Who Can Benefit From Mental Health Care?
Anyone can benefit from counseling or therapy since it can be used to maintain mental health, not just help with healing. Psychologists and psychiatrists are often part of a treatment plan for anyone struggling with a suspected mental health issue, such as generalized anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
There’s no shame in seeking mental health care, especially if you’re going through a hard time or just feel like you cannot live life to the fullest. For some people, therapy alone works wonders, while others also benefit from the supervised use of medications.
Children and adults can get mental health treatment, though kids have some different options. Mental health is just as important as physical health in all life stages, and suffering from an untreated condition could shorten your life span or make you physically sick.
Physicians are taking a comprehensive approach to this type of care as more people realize the connection between mental and physical health. The earlier a condition is diagnosed, the easier it will be for patients to manage the illness. However, it’s never too late to seek treatment.
It’s essential to find the right mental health professional for you. However, treatment can get pricey, so it’s equally important for most people to find a provider in their network. Here are four ways to do that.
1. Explore Online Databases
Various websites list information about mental health providers across the country. Psychology Today and the American Psychological Association are just some resources to search therapists by area, care options and accepted insurance.
Narrowing down your search criteria can help you determine who in your area accepts your insurance. You’ll also avoid disappointment from finding a clinic you like only to discover it doesn’t take your plan.
2. Talk To Your Provider
Another easy way to find an in-network professional is to contact your provider directly. Your insurance company can tell you if a practice is covered. It can’t recommend medical care, but it can pull up your plan and let you know if who you want to see is within the network.
You might be able to find this information by logging onto your provider’s website and using a search tool. You can often find a list of nearby clinics or a plan that’s better suited.
3. Ask Different Clinics
You could also contact the clinic or professional you want to visit to see if they accept your insurance.
Most offices have someone dedicated to working with insurance companies and can tell you whether you’d have coverage. You can also talk to the office about the cost of appointments without insurance or if it can recommend other professionals that may accept it.
4. Talk With Your PCP
Your primary care physician (PCP) does more than treat infections and perform your yearly physical. They serve as a home base for all your medical care and refer you to experts when needed.
If you have mental health symptoms, talk to your PCP about referrals to an in-network care team for treatment.
Affording The Right Mental Health Provider
It’s hard to navigate seeking mental health treatment and ensuring it’s covered. You can find the best fit with the right people and resources and take control of your well-being.
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