Here are 12 questions that Mental Health America recommends employers ask their benefits broker or third-party administrator to determine whether they’re offering a high-quality and accessible plan:
- Do our health plans have the same benefits and coverage limits between physical and mental health conditions?
- For the health insurance plans we offer, what is the percentage of behavioral health providers that are in-network and are currently accepting new patients?
- For the health insurance plans we offer, do you provide a comprehensive and user-friendly online behavioral health directory with a selection tool to help users access specific services?
- Do our health plans cover a variety of mental health services including home-based services or different types of outpatient care - including, for example, peer services?
- Do our health plans cover effective prescription medications for mental health conditions at a level that encourages their appropriate regular use?
- Do our health plans encourage mental health and stress management through a comprehensive wellness and health promotions program?
- Do our health plans track disability claims for mental health conditions and provide case management services to facilitate timely return to work?
- Do our health plans provide access to behavioral health providers in after-hours emergency situations?
- How quickly can an employee or dependent get an appointment in an emergency situation?
- Are the health insurance plans we offer accredited through NCQA MBHA or External Mental Health Parity Compliance Audit?
- Do our health plans reimburse for collaborative care in primary care?
- Do our health plans offer a care navigator to help our EAP or employees access timely in-network qualified providers?
Pro Tip: If you find your plan limits access to quality mental health services, you may want to consider out-of-the-box solutions. When Capital Group employees reported that their preferred providers didn’t accept the company’s health insurance, the company made an additional investment to cover costs itself at in-network rates.
Learn more about quality coverage and the Collaborative Care Model from the Center for Workplace Mental Health.
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