Finding a plan with the right mental health coverage

If you’re planning to see a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, all ACA plans are required to include some mental health coverage. Generally, the higher the metal tier, the more coverage you’ll have—in this case, that usually means lower copays for mental health visits. When comparing plans, it’s best to look for ones with set copays instead of coinsurance for mental health visits.

We recommend checking out this article to learn what other treatments ACA health plans are legally required to cover: What kinds of treatment do the health plans listed on Stride cover?

Free preventive benefits include:

• Depression and alcohol misuse screening and counseling for adults and adolescents
• Depression screening, tobacco use screening, and smoking cessation support
• Autism screening and behavioral assessments for children

Note: Referral and preauthorization requirements for mental health visits vary by carrier, but most plans seem to require preauthorization.

How to look up mental health coverage:

If you have questions about what a specific health plan covers, start by reviewing the plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage. The Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) is an easy-to-read summary that helps you compare health benefits and coverage. It includes an overview of the plan’s costs, benefits, covered services, and other important features. 

Note: You can find a link to a health plan’s SBC by clicking the “Details” button when reviewing available health plans on Stride. Scroll to the bottom of the “Features” tab, where you’ll see the question “Looking for more details? Summary of Benefits and Coverage” if the SBC is available. If there isn’t a link, check the carrier’s website or search for “[plan name] + Summary of Benefits and Coverage” using your favorite search engine.
 

You can browse the health plans available in your area now. Click here.