Health Insurance & Mental Health: What You Need to Know

1. Introduction — why mental health coverage is critical
2. Common misconceptions & stigma
3. What insurance commonly covers (inpatient, outpatient, therapy, medications)
4. How to check your plan’s mental health benefits (limits, network, parity)
5. What to do if your claim is denied
6. Additional support / resources (employee assistance programs, sliding scale clinics)
7. Conclusion & encouragement

Many people assume mental health services are not covered by health insurance, but that’s not always true. Under many laws and regulations (depending on your country), insurers must treat mental health care on par with physical health (parity).

To find what your plan covers:

• Look for “mental health / behavioral health” section in your policy document
• Check how many therapy sessions are covered per year
• Confirm which providers are in-network
• See whether medications are covered under your pharmacy plan

If your claim gets denied, you can often file an appeal. Provide documentation from your therapist or doctor, and insist on a review.