As I look back on my 35 years as a therapist, I recall working in public clinics, private clinics, and my current private practice. Most of my work has involved payment from insurance companies. Some of my work, including my current practice involves direct, private payment. Some of my clients ask whether or not they should submit their receipts for payment of fees to their insurance company for possible reimbursement. I give the information I have gathered over the years.
PROS:
If an insurance company pays for mental health issues, it may pay for part, or all, of the costs of a counseling session. You will most likely have co-pays.
The insurance company can help assure that your counselor is licensed to treat the problem for which it insures you.
CONS:
If your insurance company pays for treatment of some emotional problems, it will often want a MENTAL ILLNESS DIAGNOSIS. The insurance company is not likely to accept, "I just don't feel right," or "I'm not really sure what's wrong" or "
I might have some marriage things going on."
The insurance company will often want the details of your private treatment plan as well as information about whether or not you are improving quickly enough.
A stranger, unknown to you, will make a decision about whether or not you need care.
If it is decided that care is necessary, another stranger will often make a decision about how many sessions are necessary to help you feel better.
If you use insurance to pay for your care, the details of your situation will not necessarily always remain confidential. Be aware that people at the insurance company - which may include secretaries, administrative staff and case managers, will have some access to your diagnosis and treatment. They are, of course, told to keep this information private, but, the more eyes and hands that manage your records, the greater the possibility that your privacy can be compromised.
Once you have a mental illness diagnosis, you may have more difficulty getting life insurance, health insurance or employment. You now have a pre-existing condition and its paper trail follows behind you.
Most clinics that accept insurance have a less experienced staff and a relatively long waiting list before you can be treated. Follow up with a psychiatrist will often be demanded. If you want immediate care, you are more likely to find it with a private therapist who is not affiliated with an insurance company.
I believe that paying out of pocket for counseling puts the power in your own hands.
If you have comments about this blog or if you have questions related to it, please feel free to call me at 256/431-5060 or send me an email at [email protected] There are never fees for participation of this kind.