Mental Health & Insurance Coverage? The Top Questions You Need Answered.

One of the biggest reasons why people don’t seek mental health support is money.

They don’t know how much treatment will cost. They don’t know how to pay for it. And they don’t know if insurance supports their care or not.

We get it. Navigating the insurance landscape can be confusing — especially with mental health which isn’t as clear cut as physical health when it comes to insurance coverage.

So, we’re here to help.

Let’s look at some of the most commonly asked questions about mental health insurance and offer some answers.

#1) Does my health insurance cover mental health services?

If you have health insurance, it is likely that mental health services are covered in some capacity. But all insurance plans are different. Coverage can vary significantly between insurance plans, so we cannot advise on what your insurance does and does not cover.

To understand what services are covered and what costs you might be responsible for, it’s crucial to get clear and specific information from your insurance provider.

Reach out to your insurance company’s customer service department. You can find their contact information on your insurance card or the company’s website. Call the customer service number and ask the following questions.

• What mental health services are covered?
• Does my insurance cover medications for mental health conditions?
• Are there limitations or restrictions on the number of sessions or treatments covered?
• Are there specific mental health conditions or disorders that may not be covered?
• Does my insurance cover both in-network and out-of-network mental health providers? If not, is there a list of in-network mental health providers I can access?
• What are the copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for mental health services? How much will I need to pay out-of-pocket for mental health services?
• Can I see a mental health specialist directly, or do I need a referral from a primary care physician? If I need a referral, what is the process for obtaining prior authorization for mental health treatments?

We wish we could provide the answers to these questions for you, but they will be different for every provider and plan. Once you have the answers to the questions, you will have what you need to make informed decisions about your mental health treatment and associated costs.

#2) Does Loving Life Today accept insurance?

Yes, Loving Life Today currently accepts insurance for many of our offered treatments.

Loving Life Today currently accepts Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. Because insurance providers may change, we always recommend that you confirm coverage by calling 813-609-6946.

For out-of-network insurance, we can provide a bill to submit to your insurance company.

#3) What mental health treatments are usually covered by insurance at Loving Life Today?

Because all insurance plans are different, we cannot say with 100% certainty which treatments are always covered. It’s important to contact your provider to see which treatments are covered by your plan.

We can share which mental health treatments are usually covered by insurance at Loving Life Today.

At Loving Life Today, these treatments are usually covered by insurance.

• In-Person Therapy and Counseling
• Virtual Therapy and Counseling
• Couples Counseling
• Psychiatry
• TMS Therapy for Depression
• EMDR Therapy

At Loving Life Today, these treatments are typically NOT covered by insurance.

• Ketamine for Depression
• Medical Marijuana 
• Hypnotherapy
• Integrated Energy Therapy
• Therapeutic Yoga

#4) Is mental health medication covered by insurance?

Mental health medication is typically covered by health insurance, however the extent of coverage and the specific medications covered can vary depending on the insurance plan and the individual policy.

Factors that could impact insurance coverage on medication include:

1. Formulary: Check your insurance plan’s formulary to see if a prescribed medication is included on the list. Medications that are not on the formulary may have limited or no coverage, and your doctor may need to request an exception or alternative medication.
2. Copayments or Coinsurance: Understand the cost-sharing arrangement for mental health medications. This may include copayments (fixed fees for each prescription) or coinsurance (a percentage of the medication’s cost that you are responsible for).
3. Prior Authorization: Some insurance plans require prior authorization for certain medications. Your healthcare provider may need to submit additional information to the insurance company to demonstrate the medical necessity of the prescribed medication.
4. Generic vs. Brand Name: Insurance plans often encourage the use of generic versions of medications when available, as they tend to be more cost-effective. However, some plans may still cover brand-name medications if there is no generic alternative or if your doctor specifies that the brand-name medication is medically necessary.
5. Medication Management: Insurance plans may have restrictions on the number of pills or prescriptions allowed within a specific time frame, especially for controlled substances used in the treatment of mental health conditions.

If you are prescribed medication or anticipate being prescribed medication, reach out to your insurance company’s customer service department to review these factors.

#5) What costs are not covered by insurance at Loving Life Today?

Loving Life Today attempts to include as many of our fees as we can in insurance coverage, but not everything is covered.

Currently, our intake sessions are not covered by insurance. You can find our intake costs here.

Intakes are the first appointment you have at Loving Life Today. Intakes are not covered by insurance because during your intake appointment, we will help you determine the cost of treatment based on your income, type of service, and experience of the therapist.

Related: What To Expect During Your First Appointment at Loving Life Today

#6) What are my options if I don’t have insurance?

At Loving Life Today, we strive to make mental health treatment affordable for everyone.

If you don’t have insurance coverage, please contact our office as we are often amenable to finding solutions to support you.

Let us know if you have any special financial circumstances that may hinder your participation in treatment. We will try and accommodate you the best we can. Contact our billing department at 813-609-6946 to discuss your options.

Mental Health & Insurance Coverage: We Here to Help

We hope this information can make you feel empowered and informed so you can take the first step to getting mental health treatment.

But if this guide doesn’t answer all of your questions, let us know.

Mental health is health. Our goal is to help you access care when you need it.

Set up a free consultation with our team to get more information about how insurance coverage can support your mental health treatment and see exactly how your insurance coverage will support your care.

Schedule Free Consultation