Finding a Provider

Finding the right provider can be very intimidating. If that is what you are feeling, know that it is super normal and you can get past it!

Two important things to consider: are they in-network with my insurance and are they going to be a good provider for me?

What does it mean to be in-network?

Insurance works by having agreements with providers that they will pay a certain rate and the provider will accept that rate. When searching for a provider, this is the first step you ought to take if you want insurance to cover the visits. Most insurances offer an online portal where you can log in and do a provider search. If you have trouble with this, call the number on your insurance card and ask the representative to email you a list of counselors/therapists/psychologists. (Whatever you are looking for. Keep in mind a counselor typically can't prescribe medication so go into it knowing if you'd like to keep that option for medication open or not.)

Will this provider be a good fit for me?

Now that you have a list of providers that your insurance will pay for, go ahead and look them up! Read reviews on multiple platforms- google, yelp, healthgrades and more. I would advise to always read them with a grain of salt and understand this is a one sided story and people LOVE to complain, especially on the internet! It can be a process to find the right provider, but well worth it.

Telehealth

Be sure to ask your insurance if they offer telehealth like: Teledoc, DoctorOnDemand, or other online platforms. I FINALLY discovered I had easy access to a psychiatrist as my Humana insurance contracted with and offered DoctorOnDemand! I'm a big fan of telehealth, but know it's not for everyone. I personally love the convenience of not having to travel, not having to find childcare and in that being able to more easily factor it into my schedule. Don't rule it out immediately if it's not your preferred method!

Cerebral

For a while I used Cerebral for my mental healthcare. They have the ability to go through your insurance, and connect you quickly to a provider. It was a bit pricey since my insurance wasn't contracted with them (this was before I found out my insurance offered DoctorOnDemand) but yours might be so it's worth it to check! I did obtain medication through them and that did process through my insurance at an in-network rate. Of course, this is just my experience and not a guarantee.

I highly encourage you to do this for yourself, because you deserve help. You deserve to feel good. It can be stressful at first, but absolutely worth it and doable!

https://doctorondemand.com/

https://www.teladoc.com/

https://cerebral.com/