Depression is a serious medical issue, but many of the different medications that are available for depression are controlled substances with a high risk of dependency. Many insurance companies see this as a risk that they cannot afford to take, while others take it in stride. Anti-depressants are considered a high risk for insurance customers. Insurance companies have made great strides in recent years to try to offer coverage for mental health issues in their customers, but not all companies are so willing to take risks when it comes to the medications used to treat mental disorders.
Anti-depressants will be offered in one of two ways by your insurance company, unless the coverage of the medications is not offered at all. Either companies will keep a tight rein on how many prescriptions you can get and how frequent they can be, or they will simply give you a limit to your mental health visits and coverage so that you cannot exceed a certain dollar amount. With medications that are potentially dangerous, it is second nature for insurance companies to attempt to protect themselves in any way possible, which includes monitoring the coverage of anti-depressants and other potentially dangerous drugs.
If they aren’t included and the cost is reasonable, go ahead and sign up for them. Of course, you will have to be sure to check out waiting periods and exclusions so that you can get the treatment that you need. If you already have health insurance, you need to determine if you have mental health benefits or if they are offered under a separate coverage that you have to pay extra for. Start your search by taking the time to figure out which companies are going to be best to work with.
For many companies who have evolved and realized the serious nature of mental health disorders, anti-depressants will not cause rates to increase or cause a higher risk for the patient. Most insurance companies are more worried about high-dollar events like cancer treatment or serious illness, not a simple prescription for a diagnosed medical condition. Some companies will raise your rates, deny you coverage, or consider you a higher risk for other issues because you are on anti-depressant medications. If you have any uncertainty at all, you can call the company anonymously and ask about their policies, or look it up on their website.
Therefore, you need to know everything about how insurance companies treat this issue so that you can get insurance that will actually help you pay for your treatment and medication. In some cases, you might be considered under a pre-existing condition rider if you are getting insurance for the first time and have a history of depression .If you take the time to learn about anti-depressants and how they might affect your insurance coverage, it will be easy for you to figure out whether you are safe with your current insurance company or not. Being able to get the healthcare that you need is critical to your overall well-being.
Sean L Johnson is a journalist for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that connects consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants or special needs. Click on link to access your free interview with an underwriter who can advise on your anti-depressants