How To Pay for Mental Health Services

Information on methods to pay for mental health services plus mental health resources for the uninsured.

• Why are payment methods important?
• What is private insurance?
• Resources for the uninsured:
  1. Community-based resources
  2. Pastoral Counseling
  3. Self-help groups
  4. Public assistance
• For more information

Why are payment methods important?

The high cost of health care makes treatment out of reach for many people. Those who do not have health insurance - more than 38 million Americans - often avoid treatment entirely, because costs can be staggering (Types of Behavioral and Mental Health Services You May Need). 

What is private insurance?

The majority of working Americans are covered under employer-provided health insurance plans. One type of plan is a standard indemnity policy, which gives people the freedom to visit a health care provider of their choice and pay out of pocket for their treatment. The insurance plan reimburses members for some portion of the cost.

The other common plan is a managed care plan. Under this plan, medically necessary care is provided in the most cost-effective, or least expensive, way available. Plan members must visit health care providers chosen by the managed care plan. Generally, a co-payment is charged to the patient, but sometimes all care received from providers within the plan is covered. Managed care companies provide services in many States for low-income Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Both types of private health coverage may offer some coverage for mental health treatment. However, this treatment often is not paid for at the same rate as other health care costs (Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers: Types and Costs).

Resources for the uninsured:

• Community-based resources: Many communities have community mental health centers (CMHCs). These centers offer a range of mental health treatment and counseling services, usually at a reduced rate for low-income people. CMHCs generally require you to have a private insurance plan or to be a recipient of public assistance.

• Pastoral Counseling: Your church or synagogue can put you in touch with a pastoral counseling program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling, as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is often provided on a sliding-scale fee basis.
• Self-help groups: Another option is to join a self-help or support group. Such groups give people a chance to learn about, talk about, and work on their common problems, such as alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, family issues, and relationships. Self-help groups are generally free and can be found in virtually every community in America. Many people find them to be effective.
• Public assistance: People with severe mental illness may be eligible for several forms of public assistance, both to meet the basic costs of living and to pay for health care. Examples of such programs are Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid (Free or Low-Cost Prescription Medication Assistance).
   
  • Social Security has two types of programs to help individuals with disabilities. Social Security Disability Insurance provides benefits for those individuals who have worked for a required length of time and have paid Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income provides benefits to individuals based on their economic needs (Social Security Administration, 2002).
  • Medicare is America's primary Federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and for some with disabilities who are under 65. It provides basic protection for the cost of health care. Two programs exist to help people with low incomes receive benefits: the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) programs.
  • Medicaid pays for some health care costs for America's poorest and most vulnerable people. More information about Medicaid and eligibility requirements is available at local welfare and medical assistance offices. Although there are certain Federal requirements, each State also has its own rules and regulations for Medicaid.

  For more information about how to pay for mental health care, contact:

  National Mental Health Information Center
  P.O. Box 42557
  Washington, DC 20015
  https://www.samhsa.gov/

Additional Resources for Finding Counseling and Self-Help Support Groups

American Association of Pastoral Counselors
9504-A Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031-2303
www.aapc.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
www.nami.org

National Empowerment Center
599 Canal Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Telephone: 800-769-3728
Fax: 978-681-6426
www.power2u.org

National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107
www.mhselfhelp.org

For information about Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.

For information about Community Mental Health Centers, contact:
National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care
12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20852
www.nccbh.org

Note: These are suggested resources. This is not meant to be a complete list.

Source: Center for Mental Health Services