If you didn’t know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As we are finally (possibly?) emerging from the depths of the pandemic, we all know that this past year and a half has forced us to get right with our mental health one way or another.
In my kind of world, mental health resources would be super accessible to those who need it the most. But, unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that.
Once I moved away for school, I had to find a whole new therapist. Suddenly, I was bombarded with all these adulting words like “in-network,” “deductible,” “co-insurance,” and “co-pay.”
Sure, I’ve heard those words in passing growing up.
But, it’s a whole different ball game when you are out on your own.
Who the hell is getting my money and where are all the Black therapists at? ….a discussion for another time.
So, what do these words even mean and why do they matter when searching for a mental health professional?
We are here to get this mental health together as well as keep our coins in our pocket.
Duality. We love to see it.
(1) What the $%#^ is a co-payment, really?
Now, the definition of this little term has eluded me for my whole 27 years. But, for this post, I did my best to do my adequate research from credible websites. I’m learning alongside y’all! According to healthcare.gov, a copayment is the fixed amount that you pay for particular health services after you pay your deductible (…if you want to get more into this definition, holla at the link).
Why does this matter when it comes to your mental health?
This is most likely the amount of money you will be expected to pay at your session with your therapist. So, how do you make this number as low as possible? Check out the next definition…
(2) What the $%#^ is an in-network therapist?
I have to give it up to the homies over at Zencare.co for the concise definition of this next one. According to Zencare, an in-network therapist has a set contract with your health insurance company and accepts a set fee per session.
How can you find a therapist in-network with your health insurance and confirm your co-payment?
There are a couple of ways to do that. You can give the therapists’ office a call and I highly recommend this as lists on the internet may not be up to date. Or, you can check out directories like Zencare and Psychology Today to get a feel for who is in-network in your area.
Then, to confirm your co-payment, you can call your customer service agent over at your health insurance company. From personal experience, I know that this can be a slightly long and involved call, especially if you call during high volume times. But, hang in there and make sure you have a notebook and pen nearby.
(3) What the $%#^ is a sliding scale?
So, let’s say that you have fallen in love with a therapists’ bio. They seem perfect until you realize that they are not in network with your health insurance. You want to work with them but you don’t have the coins to shell out without assistance from your insurance.
Don’t be afraid – ask your therapist’s office if they get down with a sliding scale.
According to Healthline, sliding scale therapists are psychotherapists, psychologists, and social workers who adjust their hourly fee to help make therapy affordable for their clientele.
(4) What the $%#^ is a wellness program?
If you are looking to take a holistic approach to your mental health, you may want to look into wellness programs offered by your place of employment. Shout out to Uncle Sam – he’s about to help out again with the official definition. According to healthcare.gov, a wellness program allows your employer to offer you premium discounts, cash rewards, and other incentives to participate in the various programs offered. Examples of these programs include preventative health screenings, diabetes management, and smoking cessation.
(5) What the $%#^ is a waiting period?
Oooooh, you landed a new job! It’s lit. Or is it? If you are searching for a therapist, you may want to check the waiting period if you get your health insurance from your place of work. A waiting period is the time that must pass before coverage can become effective for an employee who is otherwise eligible for coverage under a job-based health plan.
So, there y’all have it from your humble health insurance hottie….definitely not a guru, just a humble girl learning alongside y’all.
Are there any other terms that y’all are stressed about?
Hit us up on social media or below and let’s see if we can figure it out together.
If you love content about mental health for the Black millennial, you’ve come to the right place!
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