Seek Mental Healthcare Through Insurance You Already Pay Into
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we at Cancer Sherpa believe regular mental health hygiene is as essential as physical health. We also understand that while one of the significant “silver linings” of the COVID-19 pandemic is the reduction in the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and illness, access to diagnosis and treatment is still cost prohibitive for many Americans. Cancer Sherpa has repeatedly recommended many self-pay options to help our readers access mental healthcare, and we have also encouraged them to find out what mental healthcare services they are already paying for through insurance. To explain why it is critical to find out what mental health diagnostic and treatment options many Americans already have, Cancer Sherpa spoke to the Head of Customer Success at Quartet Health, Toby Riotte.
What does Quartet Health do?
Quartet works with insurance providers and health systems to provide in-network mental health services. Unlike the plethora of self-pay options available to people seeking mental healthcare, Quartet believes it is critical to work within the existing American healthcare infrastructure, with all of its challenges, to ensure patients can leverage their current insurance to pay for this critical service.
How does Quartet Health help connect users with the right mental health professionals?
Mental health care is different than physical healthcare. Obviously, it is a highly emotional and personal experience that requires the right set of conditions to be met to be most successful. Patients with access to health insurance rely on Quartet to help them find a mental healthcare provider. They can access the Quartet Platform, which asks for patient preferences like gender, language, and acuity level. This information is critical to ensure Quartet quickly routes the patient to a mental healthcare professional who meets their needs and whose fees are wholly or partially covered by their health insurer.
Why is it important that a patient’s mental health be looked at holistically as part of their overall health?
Quartet believes mental healthcare is just as crucial as physical healthcare, as it addresses the well-being of an individual's mind and emotions. Our mental health influences every aspect of our lives, from our relationships and work performance to our overall quality of life. Just as we prioritize regular check-ups and treatments for physical ailments, tending to our mental well-being is essential for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can be debilitating and greatly impact daily functioning. Through proper mental healthcare, individuals can receive the support and guidance needed to manage and overcome these challenges, improving their resilience, self-esteem, and overall happiness. Additionally, mental health is intricately connected to physical health, with evidence suggesting that untreated mental health issues can lead to adverse physical health outcomes. Therefore, by recognizing the significance of mental healthcare is on par with physical healthcare, we promote holistic well-being and foster a society that values the complete health of its members.
Do health insurers want to help their members access their mental healthcare benefits?
Yes, otherwise, Quartet would not exist. While Quartet is not an insurance provider, it is clear that health insurance companies nationally have come to recognize the critical role mental health plays in an overall physically healthy person and thus want to help their members access their services quickly and efficiently. Actively diagnosing and treating mental health challenges is better for everyone’s bottom line.
How does anyone enrolled in a health insurance plan determine if they have access to mental healthcare and how to use it?
- Call the phone number on the back of your health insurance card and speak with member services to understand your mental healthcare options
- Ask your HR department
- Access online portal
If you do not like reading your insurance policy, we do! Contact Cancer Sherpa, and we would be happy to help you determine what you are eligible for and where you can locate mental health services according to your current insurance plan.