According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), there are currently 32 million Americans uninsured.
That number is expected to increase over the next few years as fewer people can afford or qualify for insurance plans.
This is mainly due to changes in individuals’ everyday lives, as people have lost their health care benefits due to fewer job demands.
Luckily, there are many mental healthcare resources available, even if you don’t have insurance.
There are a few, such as local medical providers that offer assistance, student health care centers, non-profit options, employee assistance programs, and disability benefits.
Mental health is vital in today’s society, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy mentality.
Getting proper treatment is essential to feeling like you can cope with daily tasks. If your mental health is suffering, keep reading, and we’ll provide you with some resources.
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The Standard Cost of Therapy
According to GoodTherapy, the average cost of one therapy session is often anywhere between $65 to $250 per hour.
This number can change depending on the office, years of experience, and the location of where one is getting therapy.
However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 for one session.
The above prices are representative of how much you would pay if you didn’t have health insurance.
If you were to schedule with insurance, you’d likely pay only a fraction of the cost. So, for those without insurance, therapy, or any mental health care, it is nearly impossible to afford when dealing with other expenses as well.
Can You Get Affordable Mental Health Care Without Insurance?
The answer to this question will be highly dependent on what type of services you’re looking for.
If you’re just in need of your medication, plenty of Rx programs can help you save on your medication.
However, if you’re looking for testing, one-on-one therapy sessions, or treatment, the costs may become higher.
If you’re struggling, there are a few different routes you can try that can help make your mental health services more accessible.
These options can be for a small price, or they can be entirely free. Below, we’ll provide a breakdown of different services that can help you get mental health care.
1. Local Mental Health Services
A few local mental health services may offer mental health care at a discounted or free rate.
However, you’ll have to search for your local area, as the available programs may be limited to specific regions.
Some places individuals can look include student health care centers or federally qualified health care centers.
If you’re unsure of what services are offered in your area, then you can contact The National Alliance on Mental Illnesses helpline.
Their helpline can help provide information on free assistance programs for no cost. The phone service runs 24/7 at the phone number 1-800-950-6264.
2. University Hospitals
Another helpful place to find affordable mental health services is university hospitals. University hospitals will have programs that allow patients to visit either interns or residents who are learning.
These visits are often on a sliding payment scale and are less expensive than other mental healthcare providers.
University-run programs often sound like they aren’t reliable. However, that is far from true.
University programs are still overseen by licensed healthcare professionals. So, you’ll still be getting quality health care services.
3. Non-profits
Many individuals overlook non-profit options as they aren’t as well known. Non-profit programs will help match middle and lower-class income to affordable mental health care services.
These services are free to use and can help connect you to specific services.
The only downside is that the mental health care provider they match you with may have a cost.
However, this cost is often much less expensive than that of private health care professionals. The average range of these services tends to be around $30 to $50 per hour.
If you compare that to privately owned mental health care services, you’re saving almost three-quarters of the price.
Over time, this method can save you a lot on your health care bill and make getting mental health care more affordable.
4. Employee Assistance Programs
If you’re currently employed but don’t have insurance, there may be services still covered by your workplace.
Of course, this will vary significantly from business to business. Many major corporations offer mental health benefits through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
The company pays for these mental health care services, free for employees. If your company has access to these programs, you can read about them in your employee handbook.
If you don’t have your handbook, you can head to human resources, and they can help provide you with more information about the company’s EAP options.
However, you should be aware that these services are often limited. The EAP will limit the number of benefits one employee can use in one year.
So, you’ll have to talk with your employer about options for discounted out-of-pocket rates for continuing your mental healthcare using EAP services.
5. Disability Benefits
If you have already been diagnosed with a severe mental illness that impacts your daily life, you may qualify for disability benefits.
Disability doesn’t include healthcare coverage, but it can help you be eligible for Medicare.
Using Medicare, you can get mental health coverage in place of health insurance.
However, you should be aware that there are limitations to disability. You can’t work a certain number of hours if you’re to qualify for it.
So, this option is often used by those who aren’t working or who have developed a severe mental illness that prevents them from continuing to work.
6. Negotiate with Private Practices
Some private offices may be willing to adjust their rates if you have financial constraints. While not all of them may take you in at a discounted rate, it’s always worth trying.
If not, these offices may know other private practices willing to take you on as a patient.
7. Online Services
If you’re looking for online therapy or mental health services, there are websites that have some services for affordable rates.
Some include BetterHelp, LemonAidHealth, and Talkspace. Each of these sites hires mental health professionals and has a wide range of services.
The cost of these services will differ depending on what type of service you will require. However, you can often get a quote by contacting the company.
You can use the GoodRx Telehealth Marketplace to help find a reliable provider.
Online services are often preferred by patients as they are less invasive, affordable, and can be conducted from the comfort of their own homes.
On average, each session can end up costing $65. Compared to private practices, this is a very affordable price.
Conclusion
Mental health is essential, as it can greatly impact your ability to deal with everyday tasks. There is nothing worse than sitting there and stewing in your own emotions and having no way to get help.
So, don’t ever think that you’re alone because you lack health insurance.
As you can see, there are plenty of resources online that can help you get the coverage you need.
It may take some time, but it’s well worth the effort if it can help you get to a better place mentally.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you understand if you can get mental health care without insurance.
