Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company
- Does my insurance plan cover outpatient mental health services?
- Is Bellingham considered out-of-network in my plan? (Some plans may cover only if you are in your home area.)
- Do I need a referral from my primary care physician (PCP) for these services?
- May I have a list of counselors in my area who are on your preferred provider list? (Many insurance companies have an arrangement with some counselors for a larger percent of coverage of the fees.)
- Is there a limit to the number of sessions my insurance will cover in a benefit year? Can a counselor request that the number of sessions be extended?
- What is the co-pay? (A co-pay is the fee you pay out of pocket at the time of the appointment.)
- How much is the deductible? (The deductible is how much you have to pay before the insurance will start paying for some (or all) of the counseling fee. For example, if the deductible is $100, then you must pay the first $100 of the covered medical costs before the insurance will pay anything at all.)
- Do I pay the counselor and get reimbursed by the insurance company or does the insurance company pay the counselor directly? (If the insurance company reimburses you, ask for the form to fill out to get reimbursed.)
- Are psychotropic medications (e.g., anti-depressants) covered?