Consumer Advisory: October is Substance Use Prevention Month & National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month

DENVER - Every year, October is designated as Substance Use Prevention Month & National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. In support of this effort, the Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), is sharing our consumer resources to help people access behavioral and mental health care using their insurance.

Getting behavioral and mental health care is often a challenge - from overcoming stigma, to understanding what's covered and what it will cost, to finding the right provider to meet your needs.

"Your mental health is just as important as your physical health,"said Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway."And just like physical health care, it's important to be able to access preventative services. The Division has a number of resources to help Coloradans understand their insurance and get the care they need."

Check out these resources created to help people navigate insurance and their mental health benefits.

Understanding Your Mental Health Insurance Benefits

How to Use Your Insurance to Find a Mental Health Provider

Mental / Behavioral Health and Insurance

Behavioral Health Administration's Low-Cost Care Directory

Other Mental Health Parity and Insurance Information

The DOI has developed resources for Coloradans who have questions about how their insurance covers mental health and substance use disorder services. Federal and Colorado law require that health insurance companies cover services for mental and behavioral health conditions like 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) should be the same for physical and mental/behavioral health services
• 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 step therapy requirements. For many benefits, Colorado law protects patients from being required to try something less expensive before their doctor's recommended treatment plan
• Prior authorizations:Requiring patients to get prior authorization for behavioral health treatment, when that's not required for similar medical treatment, may bea violation of mental health parity
• 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 Insuranceto learn more. Your mental and behavioral health matters.

Contact the Colorado Division of Insurance Consumer Services Teamwith 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