Support for psychological issues has never been easier to access, thanks to the flexibility of telehealth.

People have a lot to worry about in the United States. More than 12% of American adults reported regular feelings of worry, nervousness or anxiety in 2022, and 5% said they had regular feelings of depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The good news is that there is help out there for you. And even better, it’s more accessible than ever before, thanks to telehealth (aka virtual care). In many cases, you can connect with a mental health professional from the comfort of your own home. Here’s what to know.

Getting personalized mental health care is convenient with our virtual Mental Health Complete Plus membership. You can connect with therapists and more via phone, video or app in the comfort of your own home.

The rise of virtual mental health care

Virtual care has been around for years. But fewer people took advantage of it before. That’s partly because people didn’t have as much familiarity with videoconferencing tools then. And certain rules and regulations also stood in the way.

“There were a lot of … barriers in place that had to be lifted in order to really take full advantage of what was technologically possible,” says Kyle Zebley. He’s the senior vice president of public policy at the American Telemedicine Association.

Because of the lifting of those barriers, virtual care is now much easier to access.

“We saw how certain … flexibilities can dramatically expand capacity,” says Pat Sir, president of Broker Consultant Market at Teladoc Health. “In some cases, people who had never before been able to access a mental health provider are now getting the care they need.” 

What’s so great about virtual mental health care?

One of the most important benefits of virtual care is that it provides easier access to mental health professionals.

“There are huge swaths of counties in this country that have no mental health providers,” says Zebley. “And there are a huge number of states that have very few.” Virtual care provides access to people that might not normally have it. You no longer need to live close to a therapist to get care from them.

Convenience is also a huge advantage, says Zebley. Virtual care cuts out the travel time and the time you might waste sitting in a waiting room. With virtual care, you don’t have to set aside half your day for an hour-long appointment. You can meet with a therapist on your lunch break or while the kids are napping in the other room.

Getting care virtually may also help some patients feel more comfortable. While there’s no reason to be ashamed of getting mental health help, many people prefer to keep it completely private. And there’s nothing more private than being in your own home on your own phone or device.

Understanding how your insurance covers mental health care

Insurance coverage for mental health care varies from plan to plan. It also depends on where you get your health insurance from. Here’s a general overview:

• If you have a Marketplace Plan: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all plans must cover mental health and substance abuse services. In fact, those services are among the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits, along with things like preventive care and prescription drug coverage.
• If you have an individual or small employer group plan: Individual and small employers (those at organizations with 50 or fewer employees) are not required to offer health insurance to employees. If they choose to offer insurance through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Marketplace, those plans cover the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits, including mental health and substance use disorder services.
• If you have large group coverage through an employer: The ACA requires employers with more than 50 employees to offer health insurance coverage that meets minimum standards (including the 10 essential health benefits) to its full-time employees and their dependents.
• If you have Medicare: Medicare Part B covers visits with a mental health professional. And Part D covers prescription drugs.

All offered plans, under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), must treat mental health benefits the same way they treat medical benefits. You’ll want to check with your plan’s summary of benefits to figure out exactly what your plan covers. You can also call your insurance company for help.

Enter your zip code to find the virtual mental health care option available in your area.

Virtual care during 2020 and beyond

In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services began to broaden the coverage of telehealth visits for new and established patients.

This coverage (and funding) was expanded and allowed to continue through December 31, 2024, by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. But once the expiration date passes, patients will have to have at least 1 in-person visit first, with periodic in-person requirements remaining in effect afterward, unless Congress extends or repeals that provision, explains Zebley.

As for other health plans, Zebley expects less restrictive access to continue. “They have far more flexibility and there’s pretty robust coverage in those plans,” he says.

Sir agrees. “Virtual mental health care is not merely having a moment,” he says. “The need for care and the value in convenience and improved access won’t disappear. Many practitioners, as well as patients, have gotten more comfortable with online and virtual mental health care and will continue to provide and use it in the future.”

A mental health professional can help treat anxiety and depression, relationship conflicts and more. Explore Mental Health Complete Plus for your virtual care options, or call 1-844-211-7730.

This article contains information that is compiled by UnitedHealthcare or its subsidiaries. UnitedHealthcare does not represent all the information provided are statements of fact. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Mental health.” November 6, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mental-health.htm

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Medicare and your mental health benefits.” August 2023. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10184-Medicare-and-Your-Mental-Health-Benefits.pdf

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).” September 6, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/mental-health-parity-addiction-equity

HealthCare.gov. “Employer shared responsibility payment (ESRP).” Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/employer-shared-responsibility-payment/ Accessed April 5, 2024

HealthCare.gov. “Mental health and substance abuse coverage.” Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/mental-health-substance-abuse-coverage/ Accessed April 5, 2024

HealthCare.gov. “Minimum essential coverage.” Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/minimum-essential-coverage/ Accessed April 5, 2024

HealthCare.gov. “Overview of SHOP: Health insurance for small businesses.” Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/small-businesses/choose-and-enroll/shop-marketplace-overview/ Accessed April 5, 2024

HealthCare.gov. “What Marketplace health insurance plans cover.” Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/what-marketplace-plans-cover/ Accessed April 5, 2024

National Institute of Mental Health. “What is telemental health?” Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/what-is-telemental-health Accessed April 5, 2024

Telehealth.HHS.gov. “Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency.” December 19, 2023. Retrieved from https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/policy-changes-after-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “As a small business owner, am I required to offer health insurance to my employees?” April 20, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/answers/health-insurance-reform/am-i-required-to-offer-health-insurance-to-employees/index.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS fact sheet: Telehealth flexibilities and resources and the COVID-19 public health emergency.” May 10, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/10/hhs-fact-sheet-telehealth-flexibilities-resources-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html

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