Helping News February, 2009 Issue 7
Ask your insurance company about mental health coverage!
Sadly, in these tough economic times, to cut costs, it is becoming more frequent for some unscrupulous insurance companies to engage in practices that disallow for mental health coverage. Not clearly disclosing third party administrators, making general and misleading statements about coverage during the "sell," and changing rules for coverage of given diagnoses, etc. are just a few of the tactics employed. The Clinical Counseling Group has begun a more assertive role in monitoring these behaviors, and advising our clients on how to prevent problems getting covered and reporting complaints.
Unfortunately, when insurance
companies are confronted directly, the
response is often one that puts all
of the responsibility in the hands
of the client paying the high
premiums. Because of this trend, we
advise clients to routinely ask their
insurance companies what they
cover, all entities with whom
they contract, and what are the
most common reasons why clients
may not be covered.
Additionally, when seeking specific
mental health services, we recommend
clients ask the following questions:
* What authorization do I
need for coverage?
* What mental health concerns are covered?- and how many sessions are covered?
* What company actually manages the mental health claims?
* What is the required paperwork to ensure continued coverage?
* What providers are in the network of the insurance managing mental health concerns?
* How does this insurance company view mental health treatment?
The Clinical Counseling Group adheres to the current research on the mental and physical health connection, and emphasizes prevention of future health problems as well as eradicating current concerns with the use of mental health counseling. We praise those health care insurances that recognize the importance of mental health coverage, and deal with their clients openly and honestly. We also do not hesitate to recommend reporting complaints to the State Board of Insurance when problems arise.
More information coming...
