Does Medicaid Cover Therapy? Mental Health and Insurance Questions Answered

Does Medicaid Cover Therapy? Mental Health and Insurance Questions Answered

​Putting off mental health care, even when it is badly needed, is far too common. It’s difficult to know what costs come with therapy, where to find a good therapist you feel comfortable with, and how to tackle the insurance side of it. Many Medicaid recipients have trouble finding out if medicaid covers therapy at all. Let’s answer a few of these questions and make it easier to take that first step to becoming your healthiest self.

Medicaid Does Cover Therapy?

You may be surprised to find out that Medicaid covers most or all costs associated with therapy. According to mentalhealth.gov (2018) “All state Medicaid programs provide some mental health services and some offer substance use disorder services to beneficiaries, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries receive a full service array. These services often include counseling, therapy, medication management, social work services, peer supports, and substance use disorder treatment.

While states determine which of these services to cover for adults, Medicaid and CHIP requires that children enrolled in Medicaid receive a wide range of medically necessary services, including mental health services. In addition, coverage for the new Medicaid adult expansion populations is required to include essential health benefits, including mental health and substance use disorder benefits.”
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Therapy is Preventative Health Care

Paying attention to your mental health can be your best preventative medicine for your mind and your body. In a 2017 article by Dr. Anne Marie Oberheu of Blue Cross Blue Shield, “many of us are not aware of how common mental illness is. About one in five adults has a mental illness in any given year. Mental illness is more than just being depressed. It covers a wide range of problems, spanning from ones that affect mood to those that affect thinking or behavior. Examples include; depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar depression and addictive behaviors.
 
So, you might be wondering, exactly how does my mental health affect my physical health? Well, poor mental health can affect your ability to make healthy decisions and fight off chronic diseases. What’s more, neglecting your mental health can lead to more serious health complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, asthma, obesity, gastronomical problems and even premature death.
Depression alone can cause chronic fatigue, insomnia and increased sensitivity to aches and pains due to abnormal function of neurotransmitters in the brain.”

(source: http://blog.bcbsnc.com/2017/03/mental-health-affects-physical-health/)

Get the Help You Need Today

Knowing that our mental health plays such an important role in our overall health, and Medicaid covers therapy, what’s stopping you!? Therapy can be a freeing and refreshing way to enhance the health of your body and your mind.

Sample Therapy in Longmont, CO is here to help and support you. Sample offers therapy focused on trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, personality disorders, relationship issues, and family conflict. Samples also offers group support for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), relapse prevention and DUI education. We know building trust with a therapist is important. We will always work with you to find a schedule that fits, and a counselor that you love. We also offer a free 30-minute consultation session. We are located in a comfortable, home-like setting, with a luxurious waiting room and comfortable furniture.

Mental health is such an important part of our overall health, and since Medicaid covers therapy, there’s nothing standing between you and your healthiest self! Find out more by visiting us at http://www.sampletherapy.com/. Medicaid also covers therapy specific to intellectual and developmental disabilities - you can learn more here. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us anytime.

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