Mental health is an important part of taking care of yourself, but it’s something a lot of people neglect for one reason or another. Some people may be reluctant to get mental health counseling while others may not have the money to pay for counseling out of pocket. Fortunately, programs such as Medicaid can help you get the funding you need for mental health counseling. If you’re wondering how much Medicaid pays for mental health counseling, here’s what you need to know before you see a counselor.
Like many healthcare services, mental health counseling can be a costly undertaking. If you have health insurance provided by your employer, you’ll have to take a closer look at your coverage and what’s included. As far as Medicaid goes, here’s a quick rundown of how mental health counseling is covered.
The simple answer is that Medicaid will help you pay for a portion of mental health counseling costs, so you don’t have to pay as much out of pocket. Like other medical services, however, Medicaid won’t cover the full cost of mental health counseling. What this means is that you’ll have to pay a little bit of money out of pocket. So, how much do you have to pay on your own? The answer to that question depends on several factors, including the length of the therapy session and the level of license.
Medicaid mental health counseling reimbursement rates also depend on the state you’re seeking counseling in. Not only does the cost of mental health counseling vary from state to state, but you the reimbursement rate also changes based on your location. If you’re not sure whether you can afford mental health counseling or not, you can talk to local providers about what’s covered by Medicaid and how much a mental health counseling session will cost you out of pocket.
Typically, Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health counseling are in the range of $60 to $110. It’s important to keep in mind that the reimbursement rate may vary depending on the type of mental health counseling you’re seeking and how much that counseling costs. The average hourly cost of mental health counseling can be as little as $60 and as high as $250. Before you schedule a mental health counseling appointment, you might want to ask about the price and how much of that Medicaid will cover.
The good news is, you don’t have to worry about paying for the entirety of mental health counseling out of pocket. As long as you qualify for Medicaid, you can get help paying for mental health counseling. In fact, Medicaid is the single largest payer of mental health care in the United States. That being said, it’s important to understand which services are covered by Medicaid and which mental health counseling services you’ll have to pay out of pocket for.
What Services Are Typically Covered by Medicaid?
The best way to figure out what Medicaid covers when it comes to mental health counseling is to visit your state’s Medicaid website. However, there are some basic services that are covered in most states where Medicaid covers therapy. Here’s what you can expect in terms of Medicaid mental health counseling coverage.
Substance use disorders are one of the biggest problems facing the United States today, which is why Medicaid typically covers mental health counseling designed to treat substance use disorders. Whether you’re dealing with alcoholism or a drug addiction, you can get the help you need through mental health counseling to treat your addiction and resume a normal life. Programs such as Virginia’s Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services (ARTS) benefit are specifically designed for this type of counseling.
Mental health services for children and families are an important part of protecting the mental wellbeing of the youth. While coverage specifics vary from state to state, Medicaid typically covers mental health services that are designed for children and families. If your child needs counseling, you generally don’t have to worry about paying the entire bill out of pocket. However, it’s important to check your state’s Medicaid website to find more information about coverage specifics.
Social work services are typically covered under Medicaid as well. These services include domestic violence prevention agencies, family counseling agencies, mental health clinics, and more. Peer support programs where peers who live with mental health disorders help support each other are also covered under Medicaid in many instances, although this again depends on the state you’re in.
Medication management is an essential part of mental health counseling for people who suffer from a psychiatric disorder or addiction. Because medication is often an important part of mental health counseling and treatment, many states offer Medicaid coverage for medication management as well as counseling and therapy. If you or a loved one needs some sort of medication to supplement mental health counseling, you can get help to pay for that medication and its management through Medicaid.
Find the Right Therapist for Your Needs
If you want to make sure the mental health counseling services you need are covered, it’s important to find counseling and therapy services that accept Medicaid. Before you schedule a mental health counseling appointment, make sure you ask your therapist about Medicaid coverage and the out-of-pocket cost of counseling and therapy. To learn more about Medicaid and health counseling, visit your state’s Medicaid website or contact a therapist in your area today.
Read More: Medicare Advantage Plans: How They Work And Who Should Buy Them