When a person suffers from bipolar disorder, he may feel like his life is out of control. He may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships, to take care of himself and to work productively. These problems can be especially challenging if he has not gotten professional help for his disorder. Treatment for bipolar disorder is widely available, and it can greatly help a patient with this problem manage his symptoms, but it is not always apparent how to get this type of help.
Many people also think that, if they have bipolar disorder, they will not be able to get their health insurance to cover the treatment costs. However, the reality is that many kinds of insurance cover the costs of bipolar disorder treatment. Additionally, having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder does not automatically disqualify people from getting affordable insurance.
Millions of Americans struggle with bipolar disorder every year. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that around 5.7 million American adults suffer from this disorder. It’s not only difficult to deal with bipolar disorder, but it can also be extremely costly to treat.
P.B. Peel, et al. report that this mental health condition is the most expensive behavioral healthcare diagnosis. Because of this, many health insurance companies in the past were reluctant to cover treatment for this disorder. As a result, many people struggling with bipolar disorder were either under- or uninsured, so they went without the essential treatment that they needed. But, professional help is available to help users get clean, and many resources can even help people pay for that care.
Bipolar Disorder and the Affordable Care Act
When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in March of 2010, people who previously could not afford health insurance had more opportunities to receive coverage. As of 2014, the Affordable Care Act requires all Americans to have health insurance unless they meet the requirements for voluntary exemption. The act also requires many health insurance companies to cover people regardless of their pre-existing conditions, whether physical or psychological. This means that people with bipolar disorder are now able to receive quality insurance coverage, so they can get the psychological treatment their condition requires.
Another aspect of the Affordable Care Act is the coverage of what it calls “essential health benefits.” These benefits include the following healthcare options related to treating bipolar disorder:
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including treatment for behavioral health
- Prescription medications
- Preventative and wellness services
- Rehab services
These healthcare options are crucial to managing bipolar disorder, so it’s important that users get help at affordable costs. With the changes in the healthcare insurance system, these treatment options are now available to people that used to be denied insurance coverage. This means that people that struggle with bipolar disorder no longer have to worry about being unable to receive health insurance, nor do they have to worry about paying for healthcare costs completely out-of-pocket. Instead, they can now get help from their insurance provider to receive the treatment they need to lead productive lives.
Find Health Insurance Options for Bipolar Disorder
Having bipolar disorder can be frightening, as patients may feel helpless and like no one understands what they are going through. These feelings can be even worse if patients go without professional treatment. With the enacting of the Affordable Care Act, people struggling with bipolar disorder no longer have to worry about how to get treatment for this condition. Instead, they can find health insurance that will provide benefits related to mental health care and maintenance.
If you or someone you love is suffering from bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder and are wondering what kind of insurance coverage is available, then please give us a call at 615-490-9376. Our admissions coordinators are available to answer your questions and they can help you locate quality treatment centers to meet your needs.
