Our goal is to reduce as much stress as we can prior to starting treatment. Weve helped individuals find out about all relevant policy coverage details. Then work to help everyone involved understand all applicable policy limitations, patient responsibilities and payment terms. Then we proceed to operate within the agreed terms.

Many times, our patients questions involve the Affordable Care Act, the health insurance marketplace, private policy insurance, coverages, Medicare and Medicaid. And when we are not at work, just out and about in conversation, we get these questions from friends and acquaintances.

Many people need answers in this new age of health care coverage. So we assembled these answers; presented by the experts at Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and MentalHealth.gov.

We offer the Q&As below to help people find these valuable and much needed resources. If this information assists even a few individuals to obtain coverage for mental health services, then we will be quite happy. Best wishes to you!

Because of the law, most health plans must now coverpreventive services, like depression screening for adults and behavioral assessments for children, at no additional cost. And, as of 2014, most plans cannot deny you coverage or charge you more due to pre-existing health conditions, including mental illnesses.

If you have questions about your insurance plan, we recommend you first look at your plans enrollment materials, or any other information you have on the plan, to see what the coverage levels are for all benefits. Because of the Affordable Care Act, health insurers are required to provide you with aneasy-to-understand summaryabout your benefits including mental health benefits, which should make it easier to see what your coverage is. More information also may be available with your stateConsumer Assistance Program (CAP).

Pathways for Covering Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services (Dated 22-9-15)

For additional information on Medicaid and mental health and substance use disorder services, visit:http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Benefits/Mental-Health-Services.html

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)covers inpatient mental health care services you get in a hospital. Part A covers your room, meals, nursing care, and other related services and supplies.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)helps cover mental health services that you would generally get outside of a hospital, including visits with a psychiatrist or other doctor, visits with a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker, and lab tests ordered by your doctor.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug )helps cover drugs you may need to treat a mental health condition. Each Part D plan has its own list of covered drugs, known as formulary. Learn more about whichplans cover various drugs.

If you get your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plan, check your plans membership materials or call the plan for details about how to get your mental health benefits.

If you get your Medicare benefits through traditional Medicare (not a Medicare Advantage plan) and want more information, visitMedicare & Your Mental Health Benefits. To see if a particular test, item or service is covered, please visit theMedicare Coverage Database.

About Nashville TMS: In April of 2010, Dr. Scott West brought the technology of NeuroStar TMS to Nashville, becoming the first physician in Tennessee to offer the option of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for patients whose severe Major Depressive Disorder has not responded to multiple courses of antidepressant medications and/or other depression treatments. Dr. West and the Nashville TMS Team has successfully treated over 500 patients from Tennessee, Kentucky, Colorado, California, Missouri, New York, Florida, and Alabama. Hear what Nashville TMS patients have to say about their depression treatment experiences and outcomes!

Written by: Lisa Chapman

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New Depression Treatment - Safe & Effective | Nashville TMS