Health Insurance And Mental Health Services

Studies indicate that the frequency of diagnoses of mental illnesses is on the rise

. Whether this is due to the increased awareness of mental illness in the medical community and general population or if mental illness is actually more common than before is unknown, but either way it is clear that health insurers need to address this issue, rather than continue to ignore it as much as possible.

While most private health insurers offer some type of coverage when it comes to mental health services, it is never anywhere near the coverage offered for other, more traditional and mainstream, medical services. Even though mental illness is recognized as a real, tangible medical issue by experts in the field of medicine and research, health insurance has yet to catch up to modern life.

Mental health services are subject to a much higher incidence of exclusions and limitations in health insurance policies, including prohibitively higher co-pays and caps of the maximum number of covered treatments or counseling sessions.

With approximately one third of Americans suffering from a mental illness annually, it is rather shocking that the coverage continues to lag for much needed services. Due to the high price for seeking the most appropriate treatment, care for individuals with mental illness is unacceptably minimal.

Lack of mental health care when needed is associated with an array of problems. Job loss due to lack of symptom management, irreparable relationship problems, and even death are just a few examples. Perhaps one of the most disturbing effects of an untreated mental illness is that of a parent on a child. Children can thus be at risk not only for developing their own mental illness, but for neglect and abuse- simply because the national health care system refuses to offer affordable care for adults suffering from mental illness.

Unfortunately, individuals without health insurance often are not treated until they reach their breaking point, arriving in a hospital emergency room or psychiatric ward. While there are some services, such as Medicaid, that do indeed cover mental illness care, these individuals often lack the social support or education to go through the lengthy process of obtaining approval for the program.

Despite the increased understanding of mental illness in the United States, many primary care physicians still lack the experience and knowledge to properly identify even the most common of mental problems. This often results in a patient believing that complaints are "all in her head," exacerbating the problem even more.

Even patients with insurance can experience delayed treatment for their illness. Waiting lists to see psychiatrists and obtain specialized case managers are often lengthy, with priority given to cases sent by the local court. Though most mental health hospitals are non-profit, this does not mean that their primary focus is not the bottom line rather than the patient.

As with all medical treatment, it is necessary to advocate for yourself, whether or not you have health insurance. Be persistent in demanding the proper care, and you can ensure proper treatment for any mental illness.

by: Casey Trillbar

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