Consumer Advisory: May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The Division of Insurance can help Coloradans with accessing mental health care.

DENVER - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) is sharing consumer resources to support people in accessing mental health care using their insurance.

Finding appropriate care for specific mental health needs is not always easy or straightforward. Whether it is overcoming stigma, finding an in-network therapist, figuring out what's covered and what it will cost, or something else, there are many barriers in place. The DOI has put together this advisory and these resources to help tackle these obstacles. .

"Taking care of your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health," said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway. "Just like physical health care, there can be barriers to accessing mental health care. The Division has created resources to help Coloradans overcome these barriers to get the care they need."

Understanding and Accessing Mental Health Insurance Benefits

The DOI created short videos to help walk though navigating insurance and mental health benefits.

Understanding Your Mental Health Insurance Benefits

How to Use Your Insurance to Find a Mental Health Provider

Other Mental Health Parity and Insurance Information

The DOI has developed additional resources for Coloradans who have questions about how their insurance may cover mental health and substance use disorder services. Federal and Colorado law requires that health insurance companies cover services for mental and behavioral health conditions, like anxiety or substance use, similar to how they cover other medical conditions, like diabetes or heart disease. This is called "Mental Health Parity." There are Mental Health Parity requirements on issues that include:

• What you pay: Copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums (collectively referred to as cost-sharing)
• How much treatment you can get: Limitations on the use of services, such as limits on the number of inpatient or outpatient visits that are covered
• Utilization management tools: Such as pre-authorization or step therapy requirements
• Which doctors you can see: Having adequate health care providers in-network to provide necessary services, coverage for out-of-network providers, and considerations for geographic location

Visit our website on Mental / Behavioral Health and Insurance to learn more.

Contact the Colorado Division of Insurance Consumer Services Team with any questions or problems you have with your health insurance as you or your family members access mental health care, including questions about: information from your health insurance company, lack of mental health providers, limiting of benefits or services, lack of communication and denied claims.

Colorado DOI Consumer Services Team: 303-894-7490 / [email protected] / doi.colorado.gov(click on "file a complaint")

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About the Division of Insurance:

The Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), regulates the insurance industry and assists consumers and other stakeholders with insurance issues. Visit doi.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7499 / toll free 800-930-3745.

About DORA:

DORA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado. Consumer protection is our mission. Visit dora.colorado.gov for more information or call 303-894-7855 / toll free 800-886-7675

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