5 Facts about Mental Health Coverage and Health Insurance Reform

Most of the service members and veterans are more vulnerable to risks associated with to mental health problems.

Some of the most common problems faced by the veterans include the following listed below and more:

* Anxiety
* Post-traumatic disorder related to stress
* Depression
* Hopelessness
* Substance abuse

Most of the mental health communities are raising their voice to support and encourage mental health care for veterans.

However, this was not adequate for acquiring insurance coverage support from various leading private and government organizations.

Separate and dedicated bill with request for mental health equality in insurance coverage is required. This means that the seriousness of mental health condition should be treated similar to physical conditions for insurance coverage benefits.

A bill was passed in this regard in the year 2008. Listed below are 4 chief facts associated with this bill and its effects on mental health conditions.

The concluding ban from refraining individuals with pre-existing conditions or mental health conditions has been a boon. This will support easy and timely health insurance. The insurance coverage has also become affordable.

However, health insurers today, refuse to guarantee those who have been diagnosed with problems listed below:

* Depression
* Anxiety disorder
* Bipolar disorder
* Schizophrenia

The denial is regardless of the degree of the condition and how well-controlled it is. This was a great shock to those seeking help and support through insurance companies.

However, the bill that was recently passed changed this. Now, health insurers cannot exclude a specific condition from coverage.

Small businesses also require good amount of coverage for various operations they undertake. These are usually businesses that hold less than fifty 50 employees.

They are can get coverage and claim for benefits of laws related to mental health parity laws. Small businesses were not included under the earlier bill.

The exclusion was made due to the enhanced coverage cost. However, democrats and reform supporters strongly believe that the budding exchange markets will offer adept assistance to small business employers. The plans offered at these exchanges will definitely meet all parity standards.

The recent favourable bill passed does not indicate that people will benefit from first grade or premium mental health coverage.

It just allows the coverage to be at par with that offered under the category of physical health.

For those who are ready to pick essentials and go for high-deductible insurance plan, the coverage will be restricted. The major forbidden element is inequality.

For instance, it is forbidden for an insurer to charge more amount of co-payment for a professional psychiatrist visit as compared to a visit from regular medical specialist.

It is also unlawful for an insurer to deny a patient the opportunity to obtain mental health treatment that is out-of-network.

They are also not allowed to restrict the number of visits/days of in-patient treatment for mental illness or substance abuse.

Another benefit offered was exclusion of lifetime and yearly caps. This will help patients to continue the treatment without any problem.

Mental health treatments are expensive and recovery seems to be impossible in some cases because people are unable to continue the treatment due to the cost. The exclusion will be of great help.

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