How Do Mental Disorders Affect Insurance Coverage?

How does health insurance cover depression?

If you have been officially diagnosed with a mental or anxiety disorder, there are several options for you within health coverage plans:

• Depression screenings are counted as a preventative care service. Most plans (including the ones we sell) include these services at no additional cost.
  
• The treatment of mental health conditions counts as one of the ten essential health benefits as defined by the Affordable Care Act. Although ACA requirements have an expiration date, most plans currently on the market are still shaped by ACA compliance. Our agents will know which plans provide mental health treatment and how much coverage is included.
  
• Treatment of mental health conditions includes:
  
  • Psychotherapy
    
  • Medication
    
  • Inpatient treatment
    
  • Crisis management
    
• Keep in mind that mental health coverage varies by state.
  

If I’m covered with my work plan, will my employer find out about any screenings or diagnoses?

An employer can only receive medical records at your permission, and should you decide to share your information you are allowed to review the records before they are sent out.

What if I’m diagnosed before applying for health coverage?

Different diagnoses imply different levels of risk for health insurance companies. Below are how some of the more well-known disorders are looked upon:

• Clinical Depression: ACA-compliant companies cannot turn you down or charge higher premiums if you are diagnosed with clinical depression, and you cannot be dropped from your plan for the diagnosis either.
  
• Bipolar Disorder: This diagnosis does not automatically disqualify one from receiving health insurance, but again it will vary by company.
  
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: It can take longer to consider the case for someone who has PTSD, but many commercial underwriters will categorize the disorder by different degrees, from mild to extreme. Mild cases are more likely to be accepted.
  

In general, a certified health disorder poses a certain level of risk for underwriters to consider and may result in higher premiums. Given the variety of disorders, and recent ACA changes, this will vary from company to company. This is something your insurance agent will look into for you.

How will a depression/anxiety diagnosis affect my life insurance?

Mental disorders are dicier when it comes to life insurance policies than when it comes to health insurance coverage. The link between mental disorders and suicide is the prime risk factor.

In general, cases are surveyed on levels ranging from mild to extreme, and like with health insurance underwriting, the milder the case the more likely you are to receive coverage. (This is surmised through additional questions posed by your underwriter, such as whether or not you have received recent hospitalization due to issues pertaining to the mental disorder, how often you have missed work, etc.).

How You Can Save On Medications

We don’t have to tell you that one of the heavier considerations of dealing with a mental disorder is considering, weighing, and purchasing drug prescriptions to help regulate anxiety and depression. Fortunately, our agents relish in combing through the internet for the best deals available.

You can find out more at our official page here or contact us here. Don’t forget to use the ICA-exclusive coupons to save an additional amount!

Conclusion

Thankfully, depression and anxiety are not personality traits. Depression and anxiety, instead, are treatable health issues.

If you have not been diagnosed with a mental disorder but are concerned that you have several side effects, a doctor’s diagnosis will simply give you access to certain medications. However, the penalties that this may have on certain employment options (such as the armed forces) and possibly higher premium rates are to be noted.

Also note that depression screenings are free with most insurance plans, and there are several non-prescription paths to attempt to alleviate depression and anxiety before you take that final step. Please consult your doctor if you have further concerns.

We hope that you have found this article helpful and we wish you peace and clarity throughout your day. If you have any questions on health and life coverage, please feel free to contact us!