Can I Get Mental Health Insurance?

Prospective and existing private health insurance policyholders will know that there are plenty of options in coverage of treatments for physical health. But what about mental health?

Many would say that there isn’t a dedicated insurance policy for mental health treatments, yet its prominence in our world rises. This article dives into whether getting insured for mental health conditions is possible.

Does Mental Health Insurance Exist?

Until reasonably recently, mental health hasn’t traditionally found cover in private health insurance. However, the rising significance of mental health care has led insurers to offer add-ons to existing private medical insurance.

Today, NHS research estimates that one in four people in the United Kingdom will suffer from a mental health issue. That’s why more prospective policyholders seek cover for these potential mental ailments. Adding
 mental health insurance into general health policies has become more frequent.

Many may overlook the mental health option when piecing together their private medical insurance plan. That’s because the coverage does raise premiums, sometimes quite significantly.

It leaves people wondering whether mental health insurance is worth it when they’ve never exhibited any symptoms. Should you include it in your policy?

Why Include Mental Health Insurance in Your Policy?

We live in an increasingly high-octane environment in our personal and professional lives. The likelihood of suffering from acute mental health issues grows as we work and live in an ‘always-on’ culture.

Many values mental health insurance because of the possibility of facing illness or an urgent mental health crisis. And while the NHS is excellent and highly capable of treatments, the matter of fact is that with increasing backlogs, it
may take a while for you to get seen.

Mental health insurance is coverage that will refer the policyholder to a private specialist for consultation and treatment immediately. 
Should people hit a breaking point with their mental health, they can get seen quickly and receive quality care.

So with the established significance of mental health insurance, what can one expect when taking out a policy?

What Services are in Mental Health Insurance?

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Like illnesses or injuries, mental health conditions can arise unexpectedly. Having mental health insurance not only ensures the costs for consultations and treatments get covered, but claims also provide additional support.

Here’s what policyholders will generally find in a mental health plan.

Preventative Consultations

Should a policyholder raise a claim for a mental health condition, insurers will often refer the client to a mental health support specialist. Their consultations will support the patient in taking measures to prevent relapsing.

Support Services

Many insurers will offer further support for mental health with dedicated counselors and helplines at no additional cost. These qualified consultants can liaise with policyholders should they feel burdened by financial, relationship,
and legal issues.

Rehabilitation

Some insurance providers will provide rehabilitation services if they get diagnosed with a mental health condition. These consultations help the policyholder on the road to recovery, including legal advice, employment liaison, and
income protection.

Note that many insurers differ in the services offered in their mental health policies. Ensure that you speak to either your provider or broker to understand what gets covered.

Now understanding the services of mental health insurance, what are the conditions covered by the policy?

What Conditions Get Covered by Mental Health Insurance?

Given that mental health insurance has only recently come into prominence, it’s an excellent question to ask what gets covered by the policies. Find a general list below of what conditions have coverage.

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Bipolar Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Bipolar Disorder

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Post-natal Depression

Check with your insurer about the mental health conditions covered by the policy. This list is a general outlook of coverage and may include more ailments or less than the ones mentioned here.

Is Mental Health Included in General Private Medical Insurance?

Mental health is generally not automatically included in private medical insurance plans. You’ll have to notify your insurer that you wish to have a mental health add-on in your policy should you want coverage for
conditions.

Most insurers will consider mental health consultations and treatments as outpatient procedures. That means that the add-on can significantly increase your premiums. We’ll look at the costs of mental health insurance further down the
guide.

Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered?

Mental health insurance is like general private health plans because you won’t get coverage for pre-existing conditions. The policies include coverage for ailments that occur after the start date.

However, there are some exceptions to this statement. You are not necessarily excluded from coverage in conditions like depression and anxiety if you’ve suffered from stress before.

It’s imperative to disclose any mental health conditions you have previously suffered from to understand if you’ll have coverage for future illnesses or issues. Your insurance provider should outline your eligibility for cover.

So, is there anything else that generally won’t receive coverage on mental health plans?

What is Not Covered by Mental Health Insurance?

Chronic conditions that don’t have certified treatments don’t receive cover on mental health insurance plans. We can give a couple of examples below:

• Dementia

• Behavioral Conditions

• Development Conditions

However, conditions caused by chronic mental illnesses could get covered on your policy. Discuss with your insurance provider to get coverage for concerns caused by other issues.

Should you now consider mental health insurance, you may wonder if there are any differences in making claims. What do you do should a condition require consultation or treatment? Is it any different from making a common private medical
insurance claim? Let’s dive into the claims process for mental health conditions.

How Do I Make a Claim if I Develop a Mental Health Issue?

If you have a private medical insurance policy and feel ill, you’ll want to claim treatment on the plan. Below is the general process:

1. Check your eligibility to make a claim.

Before you begin the process, you’ll want to check your eligibility for coverage. Your private medical insurance may have coverage limits on mental health or outpatient cover. Furthermore, the condition you claim for may not include
coverage in your plan.

Review your plan to confirm your eligibility for the claim. Understanding your coverage will make the process more seamless, where you’ll have access to treatment quicker should you get approved.

Visit your GP first to confirm the diagnosis for the condition, then process the claim with your insurer once you’ve confirmed that you’re eligible for cover.

2. Process the claim with your insurer.

Submit your claim to your insurer, who will verify that the costs of private treatment for your mental health condition get covered by your plan. They should receive and approve your application in a relatively short time frame, just
like any other private medical insurance claim.

3. Receive treatment.

Once approved, visit your private medical facility to treat your mental health condition. As mentioned earlier in this article, insurers will provide support services for mental health after claims.

The claims process can differ between insurers, so ensure you understand how to make a mental health claim before signing onto your policy.

We’ve mentioned that mental health insurance add-ons can significantly raise premiums as it’s considered outpatient care. You may be asking, just how much? What can I expect to pay for mental health cover?

How Much Does Mental Health Insurance Cost?

Because of the versatile nature of both mental health insurance and private medical insurers, it’s challenging to find the average cost increase of premiums. However, there are factors you can use that will determine the costs.

• Your mental health condition is considered a long-term disability.

It’s not legal for insurers to discriminate against those who suffer from long-term mental health conditions that have seen diagnosis as a disability. You will be eligible for coverage, but it could raise your premiums. The insurer will
need strong evidence to prove that you would make claims more often, in any case.

• Mental health cover limits

Insurers consider mental health procedures as part of the outpatient cover. Therefore, there may be a limit on how much coverage you get for treatments.

Providers will be flexible with the amount of cover offered in that cap. But like outpatient inclusions in private medical insurance, the higher the cost cap, the more you will pay each month on your premiums.

However, many insurers will offer complementary services such as helplines and counselors to assist with any troubles that may develop into mental health conditions. These can help keep your claims down, where you wouldn’t require such
a high coverage limit.

• Previous mental health conditions

As mentioned earlier, insurers cannot refuse policies on the grounds of previous mental health conditions without good reasons. However, past illnesses will make you a higher-risk client in the eyes of the insurance provider.

Ultimately, that means that the monthly premiums for the policy will be significantly higher. So with all things considered, do you think mental health add-ons may be right for you?

Is Mental Health Insurance Right for Me?

It’s essential to consider the significance of mental health insurance add-ons and whether they benefit your life. The reason is that the premiums may be a high cost to pay, but you’ll be assured of coverage should you develop a mental
health condition.

Life is full of ups and downs, where personal, professional, and family lives take an increased strain on our mental wellbeing. However, you may not have suffered from any mental health conditions before.

There are many factors to consider, and it may become a bit overwhelming to understand whether mental health insurance is right for you. That’s why it’s vital to discuss the add-on with a broker or insurer before
committing to a plan.

The Importance of Seeking Advice on Mental Health Insurance

Getting advice before taking out mental health insurance can be invaluable to weighing up your decision. Discuss your situation with an advisor. They’ll provide insight into whether the add-on is necessary and what kind of plan you may
require.

Never feel nervous about discussing mental health with an advisor. They are professionals with years of experience addressing concerns about mental health insurance or any previous conditions. Rest assured, you’ll get all the
information you need for comfortable decision-making.

Some brokers and advisors can even recommend where to get mental health insurance if you commit to a plan.

Where Can I Get Mental Health Insurance?

There are an increasing amount of insurers offering mental health insurance add-ons to private medical plans to cater to the growing demand for coverage. However, not everyone will have a mental component to their policies.

If you have an existing health insurance policy, discuss with your provider whether there is a mental condition coverage add-on and how much it would cost.

Should you want mental health coverage included in a new plan, discuss policies that offer cover for treatments with your broker or advisor. Ensure you find a plan suited to your needs before purchasing your policy.

A Summary of Mental Health Insurance

Mental health insurance is certainly available within the United Kingdom. It will see offering as an add-on with the most prominent private medical insurance policies. Let’s review the information provided in this guide.

• Mental health insurance does exist as an add-on for the purchase

• Private health insurance plans do not automatically include mental health coverage

• You may consider mental health insurance when your life circumstances seem burdensome

• There are many mental health support services provided complimentary to your policy

• Most mental health conditions developed after the start of the policy get covered in the plan

• Pre-existing and chronic mental health conditions don’t have cover

• Making a claim is the same process as a general private health insurance one

• The cost of coverage varies depending on your mental health circumstances

• It’s imperative to seek advice on whether mental health insurance is right for you

Should you have any questions, queries, or concerns about mental health insurance, get in touch with a broker. They’ll walk you through the ins and outs of the add-on, tailored to your needs.