CVS, which merged with insurer Aetna three years ago, plans to use its mental health pilot program to reduce overall health costs, said Dr. Servant. Mental health problems that are not addressed turn into crises, he added. “Our goal is therefore to make mental health services accessible and locally available so that we can address these issues before they get worse and lead to significant morbidity and poor outcomes.”
Vaile Wright, senior director of health care innovation for the American Psychological Association, says removing barriers to psychiatric care by making providers more accessible is helpful. “Cost is.”
Psychiatrists take out less insurance than other types of doctors, and many psychologists, social workers, and others who offer therapies also decline insurance because they say that insurance payments are relatively low and managed care companies sometimes do intrusive audits undergo.
The mental health services provided by CVS MinuteClinics are covered by many major health insurers and Employee Assistance Program programs, a spokeswoman said.
“The pricing options without insurance range from $ 129 for an initial assessment to $ 69 for a 30-minute session, with lots of options in between,” she added.
At Walmart, the first therapy session is $ 60, and the 45-minute follow-up visits are $ 45, according to the company’s website.
If you’re considering using a retail location to get therapy, be sure to ask the same questions you would ask any new therapist, experts advise. Some examples are:
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Where did you get trained?
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What kind of license do you have?
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What is your specialty?
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How will we monitor my progress?
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How long does my session last and how many sessions do I have?
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Is there a follow up if I need a transfer?
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How much is it?
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How is my data stored and shared?
If you identify yourself as LGBT or are a member of another minority group, or if you already know that you have a specific illness such as anxiety or depression, it is helpful to know if the therapist has worked with similar populations in the past and Alfiee Breland-Noble , Researcher on health inequalities and founder of the AAKOMA project, a non-profit mental health organization for adolescents and their families.
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