Insurance companies require a mental health diagnostic code in order to
process claims. Therapists are expected to give a hasty diagnosis on the
first visit even if the clients are seeking couple’s or family counseling. Many
plans will only approve treatment they deem “medically necessary,”
resulting in pressure to give a diagnosis reflecting the necessity, as well as
the mental health records justifying such a diagnosis. Once a bill is
submitted, this code remains part of one’s personal health information
forever, regardless of its validity, or accuracy, and if you switch insurance
companies at a later date, it MAY impact future rates and coverage, select
career fields, including: transportation, law enforcement, and military
service, and life insurance.
The other concern is over confidentiality. Even with the pre-existing
condition elements of the Affordable Care Act, using insurance to pay for
any physical or mental health services still means the payer has access to
your protected health information. While the old-fashioned stigma of visiting
a mental health professional has greatly disappeared, most people are still
reluctant to have others have access to their therapy files. Therapy is,
typically, a private, personal process and confidentiality is a concern of all
professionals. However, to maintain tighter control on mental health
expenditures, third-party payers may insist on having full access to client
records.
I encourage you to explore the pros and cons by either checking with your
insurance provider or doing your own research to decide what will be the
best option for you!