Mental Health Services: Cost
Mental health services are not significantly more expensive than other professional medical care. Many medications that people take to manage their mental health have a higher price than the national average.
These higher-than-average costs are not the only factor. Mental health treatment can be costly over time. It can be difficult to manage the cost of insurance, especially for people with mental health problems that affect their ability to work. There are resources available to assist you with your mental health without insurance.
If you don’t have health insurance
You know how stressful it can be to have to seek medical or mental care if you don’t have health insurance. Inpatient care in a hospital, nursing home or residential treatment center can cost over $1,000 a day for many conditions, with many additional costs for outpatient follow-up care, medications and transportation to and from necessary office visits.
Without help, most Americans cannot afford to pay a substantial portion of these costs.
Mental Health in the United States
The United States has many mental health conditions. They are not uncommon and they are not limited to a single subset of the population. Nearly 20% of Americans reported having some symptoms of clinical depression in 2017. These numbers soared during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020. The number of adults who had a mental health assessment for depression and anxiety rose 93% in that year compared to 2019.
Many people suffering from mental illness are not covered by insurance. This is a distressing fact. Nationwide, nearly 11% of adults with some form of mental health disorder have no insurance at all. This means that over 5 million Americans need to find a way to pay for costly mental health treatment, often without having much money.
Living with Mental Health Conditions
Tens of millions have unmet mental health care needs. Although many conditions can be managed and are manageable, others can cause severe problems and disrupt your life. Suicide is a common cause of suicide.
Many people suffering from mental illness are unable to get the help they need. They may fall behind in their personal, family, and work lives.
People are often admitted to hospitals for untreated mental illness.
You should seek help if you are suffering from a mental disorder or have been diagnosed.
How to get mental health help without insurance
Although it is possible to get help for your mental health without insurance, it can sometimes be difficult to find. If you think you might be having a mental health crisis, especially if you have thoughts about hurting yourself or other people, immediately call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Assistance (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This confidential, free resource is staffed by professionals who can talk with you about your crisis and help you find resources in the area.
You can apply for Medicaid if your mental health needs are not urgent. Many people don’t have the means to purchase private insurance. You may be eligible for low- or free-cost care that includes mental health services if your income and assets exceed the state’s maximum limits. Apply for Medicaid online, over the phone or in person by contacting your local human service office.
Resources for Mental Health Without Insurance
It may take some time to locate many of the local resources for mental healthcare that are not covered by insurance. Even though the price may seem high, it is important to remember that every licensed physician must be able to provide emergency treatment in case of an emergency.
Every federally funded college has student health centers that offer free referrals to students in need of mental health care. Many universities have programs that teach students how to be mental health professionals. These programs can offer free or heavily discounted evaluations, as well as limited care for uninsured patients.