Mental health resources you may be overlooking in your health plan

Managing your mental health is an important part of caring for your overall well-being, but finding the support you need may be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start. One often overlooked place to begin is with your health plan.

With many people experiencing added stress and anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to help cope is crucial. Several surveys, including those collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have shown a substaintial increase in self-reported behavioral health symptoms.

 According to one CDC report:

• 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression
• 26% reported stress-related symptoms
• 13% reported having started or increased substance use
• 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days

Understanding your plan may help you find the mental health resources you need and put you on the path toward recovery. Consider these tips to help you check what mental health coverage you may have access to.

Check your current description of plan benefits, as it will include information on what’s covered for mental health services. Call the number on your insurance card, if you still aren’t sure.

This will help you find in-network health professionals to avoid paying additional out-of-pocket costs. If you’re a UnitedHealthcare member, you can check out the network provider search tool to find a mental health professional that’s right for you.

If you’d rather receive care from the comfort of your home, try virtual services. Look at your plan benefits to see which solutions you may have access to. Some health plans offer emotional support by phone or mobile app.

Ask your mental health provider if they accept your insurance when scheduling an appointment.

Use your HSA to pay for services if you are seeking eligible mental health care. A health savings account (HSA) is a financial account designed to help you save for qualified health care expenses. Some therapy, like marriage or family counseling, may not apply.

If you’re insured under UnitedHealthcare, you may have access to virtual mental health solutions, like:

• Sanvello, an emotional support, self-help mobile app to help you cope with stress, anxiety and depression, in the moment or when you need it most.
• Talkspace, online and mobile therapy that connects you with counselors or therapists.
• Behavioral health virtual care which can help connect you to a mental health professional that fits your needs, from the comfort of your own home.  Sign in to your health plan account or call the number on your member ID card first to learn what benefits may be available to you.
• Recovery Record, an app that may help those overcoming an eating disorder with the help of a treatment team.

Coverage for these services, and others like them, depends on your health plan benefits. These behavioral health programs and resources are available to help.