Awareness about mental health disorders like depression and anxiety is increasing. People no longer consider seeking medical help for these issues a taboo. They also realise that it is best to start young, i.e. during childhood, as early intervention can prevent the worsening of the condition. Parents are no longer hesitant to take their children to medical health specialists if they need it.
However, the costs of such treatment are very high. Expensive therapists and medication prohibit quick response. It is thus wise to obtain a child health insurance plan that pays for the medical bills incurred while treating your child’s mental health problems. This article will provide you with information related to such plans.
Benefits of Child Health Insurance Plan
The Mental Healthcare Act 2017 has mandated all health insurance providers to cover mental health disorders in their policies. As a result, many health insurance plans have come up that provide coverage for children’s mental health. The advantages of obtaining such health insurance for children are as follows.
Quality Treatment
As mental health is an emerging field, not much guidance is available. Parents sometimes find it confusing to select the right healthcare provider. As a result, they might end up consulting a therapist whose services are not up to the mark. With health insurance, on the other hand, you will get access to proper treatment as the mediclaim healthcare providers are included in the insurer’s network after sufficient quality checks.
Uninterrupted Care
Treating mental health issues requires consistent care. It is not a one-off affair. Multiple visits to the therapist for the long term are recommended. This naturally involves cost. Health insurance will allow you to maintain these treatments without imposing an unsustainable burden on your budget.
Healthy Brain Development
Childhood years are extremely crucial for the growth and development of an individual. Early diagnosis of mental health disorders, facilitated by health insurance, makes timely intervention possible. This helps prevent permanent damage to the cognitive and behavioural abilities of an individual.
Tips for Buying Health Insurance for Children
Some insurance plans specifically include mental health coverage, while others may have mental health coverage as part of a broader “behavioural health” category. You must check the following when getting health insurance for children’s mental health.
Coverage
You should ensure that the policy covers your child’s condition, such as autism, eating disorders, down syndrome, etc. In addition, confirm that the programme includes the precise mental health care that your child requires, like cognitive behavioural therapy, family counselling, and medication management. Finally, choose a plan that also aids preventative care, such as checkups and screenings.
Cost
Compare the premium, deductibles, and copays of different policies to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. You can do so by using the premium calculators found on the insurers’ official websites. The premium you are paying should also be compared to the amount insured and the benefits provided, and there must be a balance between them.
Network of Providers
Check that the plan includes a network of providers that includes mental health professionals, such as child psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists, that your child may need to see. Some plans may have limited coverage for out-of-network providers. If this is the case, make sure that there are enough providers in the network.
Benefit Limits
Make sure you understand any benefit limits, such as annual or lifetime caps on the amount that the insurance company will pay for certain services. Also, check if the policy is renewable and if there are any restrictions on renewability.
Conclusion
Now you have all the general guidelines to make an informed decision about a child health insurance plans. However, keep in mind that the particulars of every insurance policy vary. Thus, it is essential to review the terms and conditions of the policy carefully. You can also speak with an insurance agent if you have any questions.
Also read: 7 Tips To Select Health Insurance Plans For Family
