Unfortunately, many insurance providers do not provide adequate mental health coverage. This leaves parents or other family members to should the burden. ADHD treatment can be extremely expensive. Parents of children with ADHD often forget to factor in the cost of regular doctor’s visits, prescription medication, and stubborn insurance companies. Adderall, a drug used to treat ADHD, can cost as much as $150 depending on your location. Fortunately, there are several new reforms on the way that should ease the burden. If all else fails, make sure to document your child’s treatment so that you can appeal denied claims.
This disorder is typically genetic, with the parents passing the problems to their children, sometimes unknowingly. Males get diagnosed with ADHD more often than females, but it affects up to 5% of children in the world. It is one of the most common behavioral issues that children face, but there are a lot of false diagnoses that may have an impact on the statistics. To actually be diagnosed with the disorder, children must display a number of inconsistencies in their behavior that set them apart from other children. The standard bursts of energy most children have are not signs of ADHD.
Many insurance companies charge higher deductibles and limit treatments for those with mental disorders. Fortunately, if your insurance provider already covers ADHD, you will be able to receive coverage equal to that provided for other medical procedures and conditions. This is due to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This law forces insurers to offer a more reasonable amount of mental health coverage as long as they have some form of coverage already in place. The new law has limitations, however. It does not require insurance companies to offer coverage for mental disorders if they do not do so already. It also does not cover individual or small-business insurance plans.
New reforms promise to fix that oversight, however. By 2014, insurance plans sold through state exchanges will be required to offer medical coverage that is equal to other benefits in the same plan. These plans will cover both individuals and small businesses. When the new laws finally go into effect, legislators estimate that 32 million Americans will receive insurance coverage for the first time. This is a huge step forward. On a personal level, it will also save parents money and stress due to expensive ADHD treatments.
If nothing else, you can look forward to the day when you will have complete mental health coverage. Insurance companies try to avoid paying more than they have to, but if your case is compelling, they might reverse their original decision. Your child’s doctor might also be able to write a letter outlining why a specific treatment is necessary. Include any relevant research you can find, as this will strengthen your case. If your health insurance provider refuses to cover a commonly used drug such as Adderall, be sure to appeal the decision. You should keep a thorough record of your child’s treatments and prescriptions.
Sean L Johnson is a journalist for Health Insurance Buyer a referral service that connects consumers to the insurance carriers that can best fit their wants or special needs. Click on link to access your free rate quote comparison from Carriers that offer Mental Health Coverage
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