Financial Support for Bipolar Disorder
If you or a loved one suffers from bipolar disorder, you know how taxing it can be. If you’ve never experienced it or had a family member with it, bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder. These changes can be dramatic, with the person going from high highs to low lows. Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression, but the reality is the same – it can affect your day-to-day life. Treatment can be costly, but there are ways to get financial support for bipolar disorder.
In this article, we’ll explore the many options you can try for getting the financial assistance you need for bipolar treatment.
Due to this article’s nature, there are references to suicide and self-harm. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or local emergency authorities at 911.
1. Health insurance coverage
There’s no cure for bipolar disorder. However, insurance can help cover many of the associated costs of managing the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Whether you are insured through an employer-sponsored health insurance plan or through an Affordable Care Act plan through the Healthcare Marketplace, you should have access to mental health services. Insurance companies cannot charge you a higher copay for your psychiatrist or psychologist than they charge for medical doctor appointments.
Because insurance plans can vary so greatly, it’s important to review your plan’s benefits to see what your specific plan covers. Treatment options for bipolar disorder that may be covered include behavioral health and substance use disorder services, prescription medicines, wellness services, therapy sessions, and rehabilitation services. If you’re still not sure what kind of coverage your plan offers, contact your insurance company directly.
With health insurance, it’s important to know what financial amount you still may be responsible for. Often, you’ll be responsible for a copay, a deductible for care, or both. Also, insurance plans may only cover a limited amount of sessions. Before beginning treatment, double check these limits and also confirm that your mental health professional accepts your insurance.
2. Crowdfunding for bipolar disorder support
Crowdfunding can be another place to turn to get the financial support you need for mental health treatment. Crowdfunding can be an ongoing solution to help you supplement other forms of paying for the medical treatment you need for bipolar disorder. Whether it’s for you or someone you love, setting up a GoFundMe to start crowdfunding is simple, and getting started only takes a few minutes.
You can start receiving the money you raised in just a few business days, making GoFundMe a great option to help you get the funds you or someone you love needs quickly.
3. Government assistance programs
Besides private insurance options, you may have the option to utilize government assistance programs that can provide health insurance coverage. Government-backed insurance programs such as Medicaid or Medicare may be available to you if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Medicaid provides coverage to individuals and families, including children, parents, people who are pregnant, elderly people with certain incomes, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by the states, so it’s important to check with your state to determine its eligibility requirements. Medicaid coverage also varies by state, so checking with your state’s program to see what services are covered is crucial.
Medicare is healthcare for those 65 and older. Medicare generally covers both outpatient (Part A) and inpatient services (Part B) as well as prescription drugs (Part D) to treat mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder.
In addition to government-backed insurance options, you may qualify for disability benefits as a result of a bipolar disorder diagnosis. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considers bipolar disorder to be a disability, giving workplace protections to those who have bipolar disorder. And, the Social Security Administration classifies bipolar disorder as an impairment.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to those who can’t work for a year or more due to a medical condition. The Social Security Administration has a strict view of disabilities and you must meet these criteria in order to get these Social Security Disability benefits. If you meet the definition of disability, you must also have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for these benefits. To learn more about the definition of the SSA’s definition of disability, visit their website.
While SSDI is based on your work history, there’s another program that’s based on need – Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You must meet the SSA’s disabled definition and also have limited access to income and resources. This program offers lower-income Americans an additional means of financial support for bipolar disorder.
4. Free or low-cost mental health services
Another way to access treatment is to look for free or lower-cost mental health services. There are a few different types of care you can access:
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
These health centers, sometimes also called Community Health Centers, provide patient care to all, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for treatment. Federally Qualified Health Centers can provide behavioral health services or help patients find the right medications to treat the symptoms of their mental health conditions. Each health center’s offering may vary, so the best way to see if your local community health center provides the support services you need is to contact them directly. To locate your nearest FQHC, search with the Health Resources and Services Administration tool.
College and university clinics
Resources can also be found at many local colleges and universities, especially for those experiencing financial hardships. These programs often provide free medical care to those who need it. Often, this care is provided by graduate or doctoral students while earning their respective degrees. In exchange for providing care, they receive hands-on experience while being overseen by trained medical professionals. To find a student-led clinic near you, check out the Society of Student Run Free Clinics.
Veterans Affairs medical centers
Veterans Affairs Medical Centers are another resource for those who have served in the military. VA clinics provide comprehensive care for veterans and can provide the necessary treatment and medications for those suffering from bipolar disorder. Treatments at VA clinics may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Social Skills Training (SST), and Behavioral Family Therapy (BFT). In addition, VA clinics can also help prescribe medications and provide support systems for those with mental health issues. Find your local VA location or in-network community health provider here.
Reduced-cost therapy and counseling
There are a few other cost-effective therapy resources available for those with bipolar disorder. The rise of teletherapy and therapy apps such as TalkSpace, BetterHelp, and Headspace make it easier and more cost-effective to get care in the comfort of your own home. Each of these apps will have their own therapy plans and costs.
For those seeking in-person therapy, sliding-scale fee therapists offer reduced-cost services. These fees are negotiated between the therapist and the patient. While some therapists may list this offering on their website, sometimes the best way to find out is to ask directly. In addition, Psychology Today offers a directory of providers, and you can filter your search for your state to see who offers a sliding scale option.
5. Prescription medication assistance
The cost of prescription medications can be a barrier to getting proper care for bipolar disorder. However, there are many prescription medication assistance programs. Many of these programs are sponsored by major pharmaceutical manufacturers and provide discounted or free prescription medications. Here are some of the most popular pharmaceutical assistance programs:
- Pfizer RxPathways
- Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation
- Merck Patient Assistance Program
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Assistance Program
- Lilly Cares Foundation
- Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program
- Sanofi Patient Assistance Program
6. Nonprofit organizations and support groups
Nonprofit organizations and support groups can also be helpful to those dealing with bipolar disorder or caring for someone with bipolar disorder. Nonprofit organizations can provide education, support, and advocacy, with detailed help resources available. These nonprofits can also connect you to others who have bipolar disorder or care for someone who has bipolar disorder. These support groups can be a great way to hear others’ stories and connect to a community of others who deal with the same issues. In some cases, these nonprofit organizations can also offer financial support for bipolar disorder. If you need to find support, here are some of the biggest nonprofits working to support those with bipolar disorder:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
- Mental Health America
- International Bipolar Foundation
As you’ve seen, there are many resources available to get the financial support you need for bipolar disorder. From insurance to nonprofit support to crowdfunding, you have a variety of options to get one step closer to bipolar disorder treatment. If you decide that crowdfunding is the right next step for you, you can start a GoFundMe in just a few minutes. Simply follow some of our best tips to create your fundraiser.
Writing a compelling story is one of the first and most important steps to ensure a successful fundraising campaign. Sharing the details of your bipolar disorder journey can demonstrate how getting treatment can help. Get one step closer to the right treatment for bipolar disorder by starting a GoFundMe today.