Mental Health Coverage in California Health Insurance Plans
If you want to take care of your emotional well-being, having an insurance plan that covers mental health services can make a huge difference. If you’re interested in therapy, counseling, or behavioral support, you’re probably wondering what kind of mental health coverage in California is right for you. This guide breaks down the mental health support available in California, what kinds of benefits to look for, and how to find a health insurance plan that works with your budget.
Unraveling California’s Mental Health Coverage
Is therapy covered by health insurance? And is mental health covered in California? It depends, but many plans do include therapy and counseling. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all insurance plans on the federal and state healthcare marketplaces are required to cover basic behavioral and psychological treatment.
However, supplementary and short-term policy care plans that aren’t restricted by the ACA may not offer therapy. If you want a plan that will definitely cover mental and behavioral care, state and federal plans are the best place to start.
If you don’t get your insurance through an employer or a non-ACA provider, you have two main options for coverage: Covered California and Medi-Cal.
Demystifying Covered California Plans
Covered California is the name for California’s state-managed insurance marketplace. All of these plans have to include certain essential benefits — luckily, that includes mental support. The ACA stipulates that marketplace plans need to offer coverage for psychological wellness, substance use disorder, and behavioral health support. Additionally, plans also need to cover preventative and wellness services, which can include some basic counseling.
Medi-Cal’s Role in Mental Health Care
Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, which means it offers insurance for low-income individuals. Medi-Cal plans include plenty of options for behavioral and psychological support, including:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Specialty outpatient support
- Inpatient support
- Residential treatment
- Inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment
Understanding Your Mental Health Insurance Options
If you’re a citizen living in California or are lawfully present in the state, you can choose to purchase a marketplace plan through Covered California to secure mental health insurance. If you meet income restrictions and other requirements, you can keep healthcare costs low through free or discounted support from Medi-Cal. These two options will always cover some sort of therapy as a covered benefit.
You can also explore supplementary insurance plans through a private broker. In some cases, these plans offer unique therapeutic offerings, such as affordable telehealth therapy. However, these policies aren’t restricted by the ACA, so it’s critical to read the fine print and make sure it offers the psychological and behavioral care you want.
Assessing Benefits for Mental and Behavioral Health Services
There are many types of therapy and mental health support you can get through your insurance. These range from outpatient counseling to extensive residential programs where you get round-the-clock psychiatric and psychological support. Different plans may offer different levels of support for these categories.
If you want to see a specific therapist or counselor, you should also double-check to see if they’re in-network with each plan. Having an in-network therapist can make a big difference when it comes to coverage.
Estimating Costs and Finding Affordable Mental Health Care Options
ACA plans are required to cover psychological support, but they don’t all offer the same benefits. Finding affordable insurance options can take some extra work.
For example, you’ll likely have to pay some kind of co-pay to see your therapist or access inpatient support. Some plans will have a high monthly premium, but your deductible and co-pays for therapy will be lower. Others will have a low monthly payment, but your out-of-pocket costs will be higher each time you need a counseling session. Additionally, some plans will give you a certain number of free or low-cost sessions before you have to pay your standard co-pay.
If you just want short-term, occasional support, choosing a plan with a low premium may be more cost-effective. However, if you need more intensive care and assistance, getting a gold plan with higher monthly costs could be cheaper in the long run, especially if you anticipate needing regular therapy sessions or additional behavioral services. During open enrollment for Covered California, carefully read through the benefits summary of each plan to determine which one fits best with your budget.
Need Help Navigating Covered California? Reach Out to Freeway
Getting therapy in California is easier than ever thanks to Covered California and Medi-Cal. Whether you want basic counseling or more intense support, you can find plans with the right coverage.
If you want to get therapy through Covered California, Medi-Cal, or even a third-party company, it’s important to do your research first. To get the right California health insurance for your therapeutic needs, get started by reaching out to a knowledgeable agent at Freeway Insurance. We’ll help you find a plan that makes your mental health a priority without stretching your budget.
Secure your plan today by talking to a local agent, getting an instant quote online, or simply giving us a call at (877) 423-1508.
