Does the Affordable Care Act Cover Mental Health Insurance?
Posted: September 11, 2024
Does the Affordable Care Act Cover Mental Health Insurance?
In short, yes — the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does cover mental health insurance. This act ensures your individual mental health is considered just as important as your physical health and your treatments can be covered under the same plan. Continue reading to learn more about the ACA and mental health insurance.
What Is the Affordable Care Act?
The ACA is a law that reduces national health care costs for patients across the United States. It is commonly referred to as the Affordable Care Act, but you may have heard it called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) or Obamacare.
The ACA traditionally covers everything from hospitalization services, prescription medications and maternity support to laboratory services and mental health care. ACA plans can also cover mental health and substance use disorders and treatment.
How the ACA Can Help
With the ACA in place, those experiencing mental health or substance use disorders can:
- Be guaranteed coverage: Plans must accept you and cannot cancel your coverage for mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
- Stay on a parent’s plan: The ACA allows children to be on their parent’s plan until they turn 26.
- Avoid lifetime limits: Your plan cannot charge yearly or lifetime dollar amounts for essential health services.
- Access preventive services: Certain preventive services — like depression screening or behavioral health assessments — are free for insurance holders and their families.
- Receive parity protections: The ACA ensures behavioral health treatments are held in the same regard as other medical treatments — including coverage and restrictions.
Mental Health Care Coverage Options
Every health insurance plan is different but often covers some of the same treatments, like inpatient hospitalization, outpatient counseling and psychotherapy, prescription drugs, and emergency psychiatric care.
In the state of California, every health plan must cover certain mental health conditions, such as:
- Major depressive disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Autism or developmental disorders
- Serious emotional disturbances
Find the Right Coverage With Health for California
Health insurance is required in California, and choosing a plan can be challenging. Luckily, the team at Health for California is here to help you find the right coverage for your needs.
With the ACA, health insurance plans now fit into four metal tiers — bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Covered California then broke this down even further to help clients get a more detailed look at each option.
Reach out to us today for guidance on the best mental health coverage plan for you.