How to Pay for Mental Health Treatment with Blue Shield of California
When realizing that therapy or residential treatment may be needed to treat a mental disorder, the first thing many people wonder, is if Blue Shield of California coverage will pay for the mental health treatment needed to start their road to recovery. Paying for treatment can be scary and overwhelming, especially if someone is already struggling to make ends meet on a day-to-day basis.
Our staff here at Montare Behavioral Health is here to help you discover the different insurance options that will be available to you once you decide on the type of treatment necessary. If you have any questions, or would like to speak with someone about your Blue Cross of California coverage, call us at (855) 782-5553.
There are two different ways individuals can pay for treatment. The first option is always paying out of pocket. By paying from your own income or having a loved one pay from their income, you will not have to rely on outside sources like insurance companies to supply the funds for your treatment.
This type of payment poses the least amount of chances of being denied treatment based on the cost. The second option is going through your insurance policy by figuring out what costs are covered by your company. By working with your insurance provider to help cover the cost of treatment, this could help you receive the type of treatment you need and allow you to stay in our facility for as long as needed in order to fully recover from your mental disorder.
How to Be Accepted Into Our Mental Health Facilities
We accept patients based on their personal needs and how well we believe our facilities can help them achieve their goal of mental disorder recovery. All of our potential patients must be 18 years of age or older. This is so they can call the shots on all of their treatment plans. We do not accept anyone who has a history of violent behavior, a significant cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s Disease, any conditions that require 24 hour a day medical assistance or anyone that has displayed recent homicidal or suicidal behaviors.
Our staff prides themselves on being mental disorder experts. Because of this, we are only able to accept individuals with a history of mental health disorders only. We can treat both in our dual diagnosis program, but we have a strong focus on mental health recovery at Montare.
Potential patients will be evaluated by our staff at Montare and they will determine if the patient is the right fit for our programs. If a potential patient is accepted, we will then discuss payment plans and treatment options to move forward with the process.
Blue Shield Insurance Information
Blue Shield began operation in 1940 with 20,000 individuals and 5,000 physicians under their insurance policies. Since then, their company has grown to 4 million policyholders and 65,000 physicians in the state of California and average annual revenue of more than 20 billion. They pride themselves in giving equal opportunity to all potential employees.
Blue Shield of California focuses on building trusting relationships with its clients. They value their customers and aim to challenge the norm of what an insurance company can do for its policyholders. They’re known for having excellent ratings amongst Physicians Services across California, as well.
Other Mental Health Benefits of Blue Shield California
At Montare, we encourage our potential patients to find an insurance policy that will not only benefit them while they are here at our facilities but also after treatment has ended. Blue Shield is a great company to go with if you’re looking to have help covering the cost of our treatments, and it gives their policyholders access to many other financial and health-related resources.
Blue Shield has paired with Experian, a multinational credit reporting company, to help their customers gain financial freedom. The two companies believe that by easing the stresses of day to day financial expenses, your health will also thrive. Blue Shield also allows its policyholders to have access to multiple health and wellness resources on its website to develop healthier lifestyle habits.
Difference Between Using an In-Network and an Out-of-Network Policy
There are two different types of insurance companies you can use when going through the process of paying for mental health treatment: in-network and out-of-network. An in-network company is one that has worked with a certain facility to offer extra discounts or complete coverage for the services and treatment provided within that center.
If you choose to go with an out-of-network provider to help cover the cost of treatment, you are more likely to pay more because the insurance company does not have a relationship with the facility you are trying to be admitted into.
Currently, Montare Health does not have any in-network providers that we have partnered with. Because of this, you will have to contact your Blue Shield representative to get a better understanding of what the cost of treatments at our facilities will be for you. You still can have the majority if not the entire cost of treatment covered by your Blue Shield policy.
Reviewing Your Policy
Insurance is more affordable than ever, and your insurance policy can help you decide whether or not treatment is a viable option for your mental health disorder. Our staff here at Montare can work with your Blue Shield representative to determine what level of coverage you will be able to receive from your policy.
At Montare Health, an independent review of your Blue Shield coverage will determine:
- Which mental health programs you will be eligible for
- How long you can attend the program (30, 60, 90 days, etc.)
- Which level of care will be covered (inpatient or outpatient)
Once we review your Blue Shield policy, we will be able to help you pay the least amount of money from your own pocket for your treatment. We know how important receiving every ounce of financial help is when looking to be accepted into our facility.
Blue Shield of California Coverage for Mental Health Treatment
When it comes to your insurance coverage, the Blue Shield plan you choose will ultimately determine how much out of pocket money you will pay for treatment costs. The cost will vary depending on what type of treatments you require, the recommended length of stay at our treatment center and any medication you may be recommended to take during and after your treatment.
Blue Shield’s mental health coverage is determined by what type of treatment is needed. In most cases, their policies will cover a good amount of the cost of therapies and hospital stays for mental disorder treatment. Policyholders will be responsible for paying the copayment for both inpatient and outpatient services.
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Coverage Using Blue Shield of California
Because mental health disorders are oftentimes co-occurring, we have an optional dual-diagnosis program at Montare that treats both within the same time frame. When being admitted into our facilities, it is important to remember that although these are being treated together, the cost of this type of treatment will be larger than if you were only being treated for a mental health disorder.
This is due to the extensiveness of the treatments you will undergo and the types of medication you may have to be prescribed while in our facilities.
Our staff at Montare encourages you to consider this while looking into your possible options. While your Blue Shield plan may cover the cost of your mental disorder treatment, it is not guaranteed that the plan will also cover other forms of treatment. Because of this, we will sit down with your Blue Shield of California representative and discuss what the total out-of-pocket cost could be if we determine you will need our dual-diagnosis program.
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Coverage
There are two different types of treatment. The most notable is inpatient treatment. This is where the patient stays at the facility 24/7 during the recovery process. The other is an outpatient treatment program. Outpatient treatment is where an individual is still immersed in daily life. This includes attending school or work, while attending treatments.
A large amount of the cost for both inpatient and outpatient services can be covered by your Blue Shield insurance plan. This falls under the MHPAEA. If you are enrolled within our dual-diagnosis program, your treatments may not be covered under certain plans within Blue Shield’s system.
Begin Mental Health Treatment with Blue Shield of California
At Montare, our team is here to ensure that you are receiving every bit of financial help you are entitled to with your Blue Shield plan. We understand the importance of being an inpatient mental health facility that not only caters to your health condition but also your budget at the same time.
If you or someone you know is thinking about attending one of our treatment programs but isn’t sure if he or she can afford it, don’t hesitate to contact us today by calling (855) 782-5553. Our staff will respond to your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will also help you understand what types of therapy your Blue Shield of California coverage will pay for.
References
https://www.blueshieldca.com
