How Therapy is More Accessible and Affordable Than You Think

Modern life has a lot of potential stress, and those stressors may take a toll on you. Finding affordable mental health care is more important than ever. Sometimes, people who don’t have insurance feel like they don’t have many options. However, there are a ton of ways to find care affordably. If you’ve been looking for affordable mental health care, check out some of these options.

Online Therapy Options Are Affordable and Accessible

Thanks to the internet, more people have access to mental health care than ever. You could take an expertly-developed depression test online to see if you need more support. Or, you might even join an online support group. Even therapists have started to offer online sessions. That has made it easier for them to lower their fees. Without having to pay for an office, they don’t have to earn as much.

Some Therapists Offer Discounts

A lot of people who don’t have insurance feel like care isn’t going to be affordable. Yet, in a lot of cases, providers don’t charge their patients as much without insurance. Ask your health care provider if they offer any discounts. Some of them will let you pay less if you pay in cash or your income is below a certain level (see below). Others might offer a discount if you can refer some of your friends. Either way, you won’t know about these options unless you ask.

The Affordable Care Act Has Mental Health Provisions

Subsidized health care has made things a lot easier for people with low incomes. Now, you can purchase health insurance through the ACA. This government program pays for part of the cost. Sometimes, people can even get health insurance for free. Most of these plans have some sort of mental health provision too.

Ask Around for a Therapist With a Sliding Scale

Let’s say that you don’t have any insurance. If that’s the case, you might want to ask for a therapist who uses a sliding scale. These scales change how much you’ve got to pay, depending on your income. The less you earn, the less you pay. Sliding scales are an easy way for low-income individuals to find affordable care.

Students Might Have Access to Mental Health Counselors at School

Most of the time, if you’re a student, you can get care at school. Universities often provide mental health care through their student health centers. These may provide new practitioners with experience in the field. So, you can get much-needed therapy without having to fork over a ton of money. Working with students might not sound like it’d be very effective. But, when you compare results, student therapists often perform as well as professionals. Plus, since they work through the school, your tuition might include their services.

Federally Funded Mental Health Centers Are Becoming More Popular

Thanks to federal funds, some health centers have been able to offer more affordable care. These centers are given money by the government, so you don’t have to pay as much. Look around for federally funded health centers in your area. Then, give them a call and ask if they offer mental health care. If they do, chances are, you won’t have to pay much.

Even Out of Network Providers Might Be Covered by Your Insurance

Even people who have insurance don’t always feel like they can access the care they need. In some instances, you might not have any providers nearby that are in-network. Yet, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay for everything out of pocket. Some insurance companies will reimburse you after you’ve gone in for treatment.

Check your policy details to see what’s covered. Sometimes, you might be able to get them to reimburse up to 70% of the cost. You’d have to send them proof of payment after you’ve seen the therapist. Then, they’ll process your claim and send you a check.

How to Find Affordable Mental Health Care Options

Everyone has a different set of circumstances. Still, that doesn’t mean that everyone doesn’t need help. If you need help, don’t let money be a barrier. By taking the time to look around, you might be surprised at how affordable therapy can be.