Many people in Grand Rapids, MI and West Michigan wonder: Where can I find Cheap Therapy or even Free Counseling near me? This guide was written by the therapists at Health for Life Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI.
You might already have access to Cheap Therapy in Grand Rapids, depending on your health insurance situation:
Many people don’t realize that if they have private health insurance paid for by their employer, the affordable care act (ACA), or by themselves, that they might actually have a very cheap copay, of $10, $20, $25, or even $40 dollars per therapy session. So if you have health insurance in Grand Rapids such as……ASR, Aetna, Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, Priority Health, UMR, or United Health Care—you might actually have access to cheap therapy. You will want to call your health insurance company and ask them what your fee would be for outpatient psychotherapy or outpatient counseling (interchangeable terms).
Utilizing a Health Savings Account or Flexible Savings Account to pay for Counseling:
There are many people in the Grand Rapids, MI area that may have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Savings Account through their employer or health insurance company which will actually pay for the deductible payment that you would owe for counseling services. Many employers or health insurance companies give their employees a card, called a Health Savings Account (HSA card), which has a set amount of money added to it per year. In this case, you may need to research how much money is on your Health Savings Account card or in your Flexible Savings Account—because that may be a great way to get cheap therapy or free counseling services. As it has already been paid for!
Asking a Friend or Relative to help you pay your bill for Counseling or Psychotherapy Services.
Believe it or not, there are many studies indicating that having good mental health can actually improve your performance at work, in relationships, and in all sorts of activities, such as sports, hobbies, or the tasks of daily living (laundry, dishes, etc.). If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or overwhelming difficult emotions and it is impacting your life, it can sometimes work to ask a friend or relative to help you pay half of your bill for counseling and psychotherapy services—or even set up a payment plan. When the going gets tough, it is important to not ignore your mental health. Getting help sooner than later is crucial for feeling better! Once you are feeling better emotionally and mentally, it may be easier to pay your friend or relative back for their financial help.
Understanding Coinsurance for receiving Counseling or Psychotherapy services:
In some cases people may have a private health insurance plan which has a deductible that has been met. In these situations, a person may only owe a small percentage of the deductible fee per counseling visit (such as 20% or 30%). In these cases, the payment for counseling services is often very cheap, such as $16 or $30 dollars per session—which is a great savings compared to paying full rate for counseling and psychotherapy. It is important to call your health insurance company and ask them these questions so that you are informed. Knowledge is power!
The therapists at Health for Life Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI and Ada, MI as well as the West Michigan area take the following private health insurances: ASR, Aetna, Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Optum, Priority Health, UMR, or United Health Care.
What if I am looking for Free Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI or West Michigan?
Well there are many ways to get free counseling in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first example is that your deductible has been met through your health insurance plan.
For example, people that have a private insurance plan who have met their deductible with health care costs sometime during the year, may actually owe ZERO DOLLARS when they see their counselor. It is important to login to your health insurance portal or call your health insurance provider to find out how much your deductible for the year is (Example, $500 dollars, or $3000 dollars). Every time you visit a healthcare provider that accepts your health insurance, a claim is filed against your insurance plan. These claims will cause you to likely pay out of pocket or to use a Health Savings Account Card or Flexible Savings Account until the deductible is met by you. After the deductible is met, you may be entitled to free counseling or psychotherapy.
Utilizing Medicaid through the state of Michigan (Also known as MI Bridges).
Did you know that if you have a medicaid plan through the State of Michigan, that you are entitled to free counseling and psychotherapy services? That’s right, if you have the following medicaid plans, you can call Health for Life Counseling and receive free therapy: Blue Cross Complete Medicaid, McLaren Medicaid, Meridian Medicaid, Priority Health Medicaid, Straight Medicaid, and United Health Medicaid. What if the therapist you want to see for counseling doesn’t take the medicaid plan that you have? Don’t worry! Did you know that you can easily change your medicaid plan through the state of Michigan?
If you don’t have Medicaid yet,Visit MI Bridges to apply for Medicaid benefits. After you’ve completed the necessary information gathering, you’ll wait to be approved. Once approved, you can choose your medicaid plan. If you don’t choose one you’ll be assigned without your permission.
If you want to switch to a different Medicaid plan, you can call MI Enrolls toll free at 888-367-6557 (TTY users call 711) and ask to get your coverage through the medicaid plan of your choice.
Auto Insurance Claims in the State of Michigan.
If you have been injured in an Auto Accident (car accident) in Michigan, and you had no-fault insurance, you may be entitled to free psychotherapy (counseling) until your caseworker or the courts have determined that you are “recovered.” The good news is that Health for Life Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI has worked with many auto insurance companies to ensure that people were able to receive free therapy. In fact, being the Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids, the counselors at Health for Life Counseling have advanced techniques and skills that will help you feel better emotionally following a car accident. In some cases, people have avoided driving and our therapists have helped them get back on the road safely. Read this guide to find out if your auto insurance claim entitles you to free psychotherapy.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Many corporations and small businesses provide their employees with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). While every Employee Assistance Program differs, it is important to note that some EAP programs provide counseling with health insurance companies that are quite specific, while others may give the employee a stipend (or set amount of money) to see counseling on their own. Talk to your human resources representative to find out if your company has an EAP program that encourages employees to seek psychotherapy.
Sliding Scale Payments for Counseling
What if I am looking for Cheap Therapy or Free Counseling in Grand Rapids, MI and West Michigan and the therapist I want to work with does not accept my insurance plan, or I don’t have insurance. Well you are in luck. Most therapists will accept a sliding scale cash fee from clients who either don’t have insurance, or don’t have insurance that lines up with what that therapist accepts.
The Counselors at Health for Life Counseling in West Michigan are committed to serving the community. Call 616-200-4433 to set up your complimentary consultation with one of our therapists. Once you find the right therapist for you, you can discuss their sliding scale payments for counseling. Get Started Today!
