Mental health is often viewed separately from physical health as if the two are completely unrelated; however, this could not be further from the truth. In fact, mental and physical health are so intertwined that they should not - and cannot - be considered separately. Just as you would see a doctor for a physical ailment, such as a cold or the flu, you should also see a doctor if you’ve had any of the following symptoms for several months:
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness
Irritability
Sleep disturbance
Muscle tension
Learn more about these and other symptoms as well as when to talk to your doctor.
The relationship between mental and physical health
Mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand and are a reflection of one another. If you are in good physical health, you are more likely to be in good mental health, and vice versa. There are many components to this connection, but one of the most obvious is that if you are physically healthy, you are more likely to have the energy and stamina to cope with stress and other mental health challenges. Conversely, if you are dealing with a chronic physical illness, you will likely not have the strength to manage your stress which can cause your mental health to suffer.
Common risk factors are another connection between mental and physical health. Both mental and physical health can be affected by poor diet and lack of exercise. Additionally, both can be impacted by substance abuse, trauma, and other environmental factors.
Why is insurance so important for mental health?
While mental health should be taken seriously regardless of insurance coverage, it’s a fact that insurance is a vital part of getting the care you need. Mental health care can be very expensive; without insurance, it is simply not an option for many people.
Even if you have insurance, there may be restrictions on what is covered. For example, some insurance plans do not cover therapy or counseling, while other plans only cover a certain number of sessions. Before you seek treatment, it is important to check with your insurance agent or insurance provider to see what is covered. By doing this, you will avoid the unpleasant surprise of an unexpected medical bill.
Two main parts must be considered when determining the overall expense of mental health care - direct costs and indirect costs. Direct costs are the expenses associated with the actual treatment, which can include therapy, medication, and other services. Indirect costs happen outside of the doctor’s office but are just as important. They involve missed work days and decreased productivity.
How to get the right insurance coverage for mental health?
When you are looking for mental health insurance coverage, there are three crucial things you need to know:
Not all insurance plans cover mental health care.
If your plan does cover mental health care, there may be restrictions on what is covered. Some plans may only cover a certain number of therapy sessions, while others may not cover medication.
Check with your insurance agent or insurance provider to see what providers are covered within their network. In-network providers are usually covered at a higher rate than out-of-network providers.
Mental health is as important as physical health. Just like any other medical condition, mental health can be debilitating - sometimes more than physical health conditions. The key is finding and getting help when it is needed.
The good news is there are many resources available to help those suffering from mental health conditions. But first, get the right insurance coverage. Finding mental health insurance doesn’t have to be a scary and lonely experience.
Lion's Pride Insurance loves working with people, just like you, helping them find the right coverage to meet their mental health needs.
Give them a call today - their team is the key to your mental health success.
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