[me05]

does insurance cover a therapist? Do you need a referal from your doctor to get one? Do they share info with anybody?

Sorry about all the questions. I'm just really going over the edge and I really think I need one before it gets worse then it already is :-/

Me

[Christina86]

Hi (((((((((Me)))))))))))

Where do you live? Your question about insurance will definetly depend on where you're living in the world (as far as I'm aware). I'm pretty sure that most (good) insurance plans will cover certain types of therapies/therapists, but might not cover it fully or have other rules. I'd suggest finding out from your insurance company about their rules.

You can go to see a therapist without a referral, but it can make it more difficult to find one. Also, without a referral an insurance company might be more likely to not pay for any part of your therapy (in my limited experience).

Therapists are bound by confidentiality rules unless they state otherwise. Depending on if they're in training or not, they might share some of the details with someone else, but it's doubtful and shouldn't be done without your prior consent. Most confidentiality rules also have to do with your age (and whether they have to tell your parents about certain things if you're below a certain age) and whether or not the therapist deems you to be a threat to yourself or others (or if there's been some sort of crime committed against a child, I believe).

This is all from my limited knowledge, so please don't take my advice as what is the real truth. In all reality, it would probably be best to talk to your own doctor about this, and then when you see a therapist to ask them about how you can pay for sessions, and about their confidentiality agreement stuff.

Hope that helps some.

[me05]

I'm in Ohio, if that helps any. Thank you christina86

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((( me05 )))))))))))))))
I think your best bet would be to call your insurance company to ask them about what they will pay. There are so many different plans out there with different coverage requirements, it's always best to ask. It's not my experience to need a referral but it probably depends on the therapist. Confidentiality is very strict on who can be told what. Good luck finding a therapist.

[SingleGirl]

I can't speak for Ohio, but on the broad stroke, insurance companies most always pay for a set number of visits... be it 10, 15, 20... that are unmanaged visits. That means that you are straight away covered without question... with a copay.

If you need to exceed, your clinician will have the option of appeal (several other rules apply, in network, etc) and try and get more visits. Some insurance companies have FIXED numbers and others are like any other service and tend to be flexible.

Your non-therapy mental health stuff will likely not have similar limits... psychiatrists and psychiatric np's are seen as medical speciality visits and are covered under that part of your plan.

Also, to further complicate stuff, group therapy might be covered under another facet of your plan, depending upon specifics.

About info, therapists are people and some have loose lips. However, all who accept Fed monies are required to abide by privacy laws. Almost all agree to abide by the same laws even if they are entirely private pay. Most state's licensing laws require that privacy statements be submitted for approval before a license is granted... so they are usually reviewed (@ least they are here)

Your medical records are supposed to remain confidential to the treating clinician. However, it's possible your case will be staffed with other therapists/doctors for suggestions. It is possible that it could be reviewed by auditors if the site comes under review (and all accepting Fed money do at some point). If you are ever involved in criminal proceedings, your records can be pulled and called into the record of the court (it's up to your therapist what to share and a lot of them keep skeleton charts with bare bones info for just such occasions to cover their butt and your's)

There are tons of consequences in place to make blind mouth-running a bad idea.

Hope you are feeling better soon

[Rapunzel]

Your insurance company can probably refer you to a therapist if you ask. Then you will know which therapists they cover. Depending on your insurance, they might only cover therapists who are on their list. And not all insurance covers therapy. You will need to find out what benefits you actually have with your policy. If they don't, then don't give up. There are other options, such as student clinics or community mental health centers. For example, I provide counseling for free as part of my training, and it is available to anyone who signs up and is able to consent to treatment, at no cost. No referral needed, although most people haven't heard of our student clinic until someone tells them about it (refers them).

When I decided to go to therapy, I called my insurance to see if it was covered - it was, 30 visits a year. Then I went to a search engine (I think it was psychology today) and looked at the therapists, read about them, saw who took my insurance, and called a couple.

It felt scary and hard because I'd never been in therapy before, but now, I'm SO glad I did it!

Good luck

[splitimage]

Just to echo whatever everyone else said. Call your insurance company and find out what / how much they'll cover. It varies a lot from plan to plan.

Generally speaking therapy is totally confidential unless you're a risk to yourself or other's in which case the therapist has to report you. There can be deviations to this, like for example if you're going to a therapist through your company's employee assisstance program - then they may be obligated to share information with your employeer, but it's usually just stuff like whether or not you're showing up for appointments.

Asking your family Dr., can be a good start for a referal. Plus it helps to have some idea of what you want to work on, because some T's do specialize.

Good luck. Therapy is hard but can really be worthwhile.

--splitimage