If you have an individual insurance policy, you might be wondering whether it will cover mental health benefits, especially in light of recent federal legislation regarding mental health insurance coverage. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question, as health insurance coverage rules vary from state to state and policy to policy.
Individual insurance policies are governed by state laws, so the Mental Health Parity Act passed into federal law does not apply. Instead, each state has its own laws about whether individual insurance policies should be required to cover mental health claims. The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains and updates information on these state laws.
Even if your state does not require insurers to cover mental health conditions, there is a chance that your policy may include coverage for your condition as a benefit. Contact your insurance company to find out more.
